Chelsea have announced on their official website that Reece James has agreed a new improved five-and-a-half-year deal with the club.
Reece James has chosen to extend his stay at Chelsea to 2025, with the Blues confirming the news of the contractual agreement on their official website. The academy graduate has agreed a new and improved five-and-a-half-year deal, after impressing current boss Frank Lampard in the 2019-20 season.
Reece James has had a marvellous debut campaign in the Premier League in what is his first senior season at Chelsea. But, the foundations were laid in the 2018-19 season, wherein the defender shined for Wigan in the Championship. James ended the season as the club’s Player of the Year while also being named in the Championship Team of the Year for the season.
Then came the opportunity at Chelsea, which was delayed to an extent, thanks to his ankle injury. But, once he made his debut for the club in the 7-1 win over Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup, there was no looking back. Since then, James has not only made his senior Premier League debut for Chelsea but also established himself firmly as a first-teamer, with a total of 18 appearances in all competitions.
Reece James also became the youngest scorer for Chelsea in the Champions League, with his goal proving crucial in the 4-4 draw with Ajax. The youngster has started at right-back in the last three games for Chelsea and is now considered the first-choice in the position for now, with Cesar Azpilicueta moved to the left to accommodate for the issues in that area.
The 20-year-old was delighted at having signed a new Chelsea deal.
James said,“It has been my dream to be here at Chelsea and play week in week out and to have a contract for another five-and-a-half years is living the dream again. I have always wanted to be here and another five-and-a-half years means a lot to me and a lot to my family.”
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Congratulations, @ReeceJames_24! ?
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 16, 2020
James may be an untested quantity as far as aerial ability is concerned. But, the 20-year-old has excelled in almost every other facet of modern football, proving to be the ideal modern-day full-back with his pace, dribbling, passing and ability to cross the ball with precision.
Frank Lampard’s tenure has already provided Chelsea with three immediate stars from within their academy in the form of Tammy Abraham, Fikayo Tomori and Reece James; players one can build a squad around. It will be interesting to see just how far the 20-year-old is able to go at Chelsea itself.
