Reece James signs bumper new Chelsea contract as decision on wages revealed

Reece James has signed a new contract at Chelsea (Image: (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images))

The 26-year-old has been an integral part of the project being built at Stamford Bridge over the last few years and has been skipper for the last two-and-a-half seasons.

Injury issues over that period have significantly impacted James but he has overcome plaguing muscular problems over the last 18 months.

James is still managed carefully but the Blues are a much more complete side with him in the starting XI, whether that be in midfield or at right-back. Former head coach Enzo Maresca first deployed him in the former with current boss Liam Rosenior doing similar.

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England boss and former Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel however, very much sees him as a full-back with James very likely to be his first-choice right-back for this summer's World Cup.

Before then, James will be doing his very best to help Chelsea qualify for the Champions League again, though their current European campaign appears over.

The west Londoners were comprehensively beaten 5-2 by holders Paris Saint-Germain in a Champions League last-16 first leg on Wednesday evening. Rosenior's side conceded three goals in the final 20 minutes to give themselves a huge deficit to overcome next Tuesday at Stamford Bridge.

PARIS, FRANCE - MARCH 11: Enzo Fernandez of Chelsea looks dejected after Ousmane Dembele of Paris Saint-Germain (not pictured) scores his team's second goal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Paris Saint-Germain FC and Chelsea FC at Parc des Princes on March 11, 2026 in Paris, France. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Filip Jorgensen endured a tough night at the Parc Des Princes with the goalkeeper arguably at fault for a number of goals conceded.

Speaking on the decision to start him over 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."

Before the challenge of that return leg, Chelsea host Newcastle United in the Premier League. They currently sit fifth in the table, but level on points with Liverpool, who face relegation-threatened Tottenham.

Less than 24 hours on from their clash against the Magpies, Manchester United welcome Aston Villa to Old Trafford with the outcome of that clash expected to be key in the race for top-five.