Reece James reveals talks with Chelsea hierarchy that convinced him to sign new contract

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·13. März 2026

Reece James reveals talks with Chelsea hierarchy that convinced him to sign new contract

Blues captain put pen to paper on a six-year deal until 2032 after assurances over ambition

Reece James has revealed details on discussions held with Chelsea’s sporting directors that convinced him to sign a bumper new deal with the club.

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It was revealed on Friday that James, whose previous agreement ran to June 2028, had signed a fresh six-year contract running until the summer of 2032.

James insisted it was “not much of a decision” to extend his stay as he came through the club’s academy system, first joining Chelsea when he was just six years old.

The Chelsea captain appeared alongside head coach Liam Rosenior at Friday’s pre-Newcastle press conference at Cobham and said: “I've spoken to everyone from the top of the club down, from ownership to sporting directors, and I'm fully behind the project and what we're trying to build.”

James was asked whether he had been given assurances by Chelsea’s co-sporting directors - Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart - that the club would continue to be ambitious in the transfer market and make signings to help win trophies.

“I mean, I wouldn't go as far as saying signings,” James said. “But I wanted to make sure that the direction and vision was aligned and, for sure, everyone from the top to the bottom is aligned and this club's ambition is to win.

“Every year I've been here, the club has won trophies and we're going to continue to try and do that.”