CHELSEA have announced that promising right-back Reece James has signed a new five-and-a-half year contract at Stamford Bridge. The 20-year-old has had an impressive breakthrough season at Chelsea, having made 18 appearances so far this season. 2 0 2 5 Congratulations, @ReeceJames_24! ???? — Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 16, 2020 James begun the season with […]
CHELSEA have announced that promising right-back Reece James has signed a new five-and-a-half year contract at Stamford Bridge.
The 20-year-old has had an impressive breakthrough season at Chelsea, having made 18 appearances so far this season.
2 0 2 5
Congratulations, @ReeceJames_24!
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 16, 2020
James begun the season with an ankle injury, but recovered brilliantly to give Cesar Azpilicueta his first proper competition for the Blues’ right-back slot in years.
And he even scored a dramatic late equaliser against Ajax in the astonishing 4-4 draw at Stamford Bridge – a result that went on to see Chelsea pip last year’s semi-finalists to a place in the Round of 16.
James – who has been at the Blues since the age of eight – impressed on loan at Wigan last season, playing in 45 of the Latics’ 46 games in the Championship last term.
And having earned rave reviews for his performances at right back and on occasion in midfield at the DW, Frank Lampard was eager to give him a chance at his boyhood club.
After recovering from the pesky ankle injury, James made his Chelsea debut in the Carabao Cup tie with Grimsby at Stamford Bridge back in September.
And it proved to be a dream night for him, scoring and bagging an assist as the Blues romped past their lowly visitors Grimsby 7-1.
Lampard has proven his faith in young players this season, as well as his ability to nurture them and quickly turn them into first-team stars.
James is regularly joined in Chelsea’s matchday squad by Mason Mount and Fikayo Tomori – who have both made their England debuts this year under Lampard’s tutelage.
A Blue since the age of eight…
@ReeceJames_24's Chelsea story continues!
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 16, 2020
And Billy Gilmour, Tariq Lamptey, Marc Guehi and Ian Maatsen have also been given a taste of first-team action.
James will be hoping to make that right-back slot his own in the coming years, with Azpilicueta now starting to show signs of slowing down at 30.
And Blues fans will be delighted to see another “one of their own” commit to Lampard’s project at Stamford Bridge.
