Reece James’ Chelsea wages reduced as Blues agree new contract with captain | Football | Sport
Reece James has committed to a new six-year contract at Chelsea, Express Sport understands. The Blues captain’s previous agreement was due to expire in 2028 but he has now secured fresh terms under the club’s performance-based salary framework, which means his basic wages actually take a drop. The 26-year-old has been a crucial component of the project developing at Stamford Bridge in recent years and has held the captaincy for the past two-and-a-half seasons.
Fitness concerns during that timeframe have substantially affected James but he has addressed persistent muscular difficulties over the previous 18 months. James continues to be monitored cautiously but the Blues are a considerably stronger outfit with him in the starting XI, whether deployed in midfield or at right-back. Former head coach Enzo Maresca initially utilised him in the former role with current boss Liam Rosenior adopting a similar approach.
England boss and former Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel however, firmly regards him as a full-back with James highly probable to be his preferred right-back for this summer’s World Cup.
Before then, James will be striving to help Chelsea secure Champions League qualification once more, though their current European campaign looks over. The west London outfit were emphatically defeated 5-2 by holders Paris Saint-Germain in a Champions League last-16 first leg on Wednesday night.
Rosenior’s team shipped three goals in the closing 20 minutes to leave themselves with a substantial deficit to overturn next Tuesday at Stamford Bridge.
Filip Jorgensen suffered a difficult evening at the Parc Des Princes with the goalkeeper arguably culpable for several goals conceded.
Discussing the decision to select him ahead of Robert Sanchez, Rosenior said: “Players make mistakes. Filip’s not the first one to make a mistake. And that’s part of football. Obviously, it’s bitter… In that moment, at 2-2, I think we were in the ascendancy.
“We were an inch away from going even to 3-3. I think Joao Pedro’s goal was like an inch offside. But in the top level, in the Champions League level, it is fine margins.
“And the fifth goal was the most painful one, we don’t settle ourselves down. We don’t deal with the basic pattern of play. They score a fifth goal and make the tie very difficult for us.”
Prior to the challenge of that second leg, Chelsea entertain Newcastle United in the Premier League. They presently occupy fifth position in the standings, but are level on points with Liverpool, who take on relegation-threatened Tottenham.
Fewer than 24 hours after their encounter against the Magpies, Manchester United host Aston Villa at Old Trafford with the result of that fixture anticipated to prove crucial in the battle for the top five.
