Chelsea have ‘unthinkable’ transfer fears put to rest as star signs new deal

Reece James has signed a new contract with Chelsea to put any fears of a summer exit to rest.

The Blues captain, who joined the club as a six-year-old, was previously out of contract in 2028.

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Chelsea have confirmed the 26-year-old has signed a new six-year deal which runs until 2032.

James said: “I am over the moon to have extended my contract – Chelsea means so much to me.

“I have always said I want my peak years to be here, and I truly believe we have everything it takes to build on our previous successes.

‘I’m excited for the future under this ownership, Sporting Directors, Coach and all the staff, and hopefully we will lift many more trophies together over the coming years.”

Sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart said: “On behalf of ownership and everyone connected to Chelsea, it is a proud moment for all of us to have Reece extend his contract.

“He is the leader of this team, both on and off the pitch. Reece knows what it means to wear this badge and, having committed his long-term future to Chelsea, we’re looking forward to continuing the journey and working towards further success together.”

talkSPORT understands the Blues hierarchy expect a number of other contract extensions to follow.

James has been a star player for the Blues for many years after breaking through the academy.

The Englishman has started 19 Premier League games this season, registering two goals and four assists, appearing to put years of injury trouble behind him.

James has been regularly available for the first time since the 2021/22 campaign, playing a starring role across midfield and defence.

It is understood James’ new deal aligns him with Chelsea’s current incentivised wage structure.

He had been the only player at the club still on terms from the club’s previous ownership.

Speaking on his journey with the club, last year he said: “It has been up and down along the way and it was tough to get into the first team and then stay there.

“But the journey has been an eventful and joyful one and I am so grateful to be in the position I am in now.

“It means everything to me, it’s an amazing feeling – not only for me but also for my family.”

The defender has been with the west London club for 19 years and the prospect of losing him in the summer started to feel real as talks over a new deal rumbled on.

Fear not, Chelsea fans

James is a big fan favourite among the Chelsea faithful with many not able to picture the team without him.

However, the Blues hierarchy would have been desperate to avoid letting James enter the final two years of his contract, and may have been forced to consider a sale to prevent him leaving for free in 2028.

The situation would have not have been unheard of after James’ England teammate, Trent-Alexander Arnold, left boyhood club Liverpool for Real Madrid last summer at the end of his contract.

Ex-Chelsea defender Jason Cundy told fans prior to the contract extension that the new owners, BlueCo, would not allow that situation to manifest itself under the club’s current financial model.

The co-host on our Sports Bar told Inside Chelsea: “Watch this space. He will be one of the highest-paid players at the club. They need to do something about that.

“We need to keep Reece James. We need to somehow find a way to get him to sign a new contract.

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“Look at what Trent did at Liverpool. If James gets into the last year of his contract, you can’t allow that. He could leave for nothing.

“Marc Guehi is worth three times what Man City just paid for him.”

“One thing I understand from the new owners when they came in… is that they were astonished we let Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen – worth more than £100m between them – walk on a free. They could not get their heads around that.

“I will be stunned and amazed if they allow Reece to have so much power without signing a new contract.

“It’s a fear. It’s a big concern. A football career is not long. Players want to know where they’re going.

“If Reece decides this project is not for him now, unfortunately, the club may well have to sell him in the summer. I don’t want to scaremonger or anything…”