Reece James sets new Chelsea record as Blues ace signs long-term deal

Reece James has etched his name into the record books at Chelsea by signing a new and improved long-term contract at Stamford Bridge. The England international has become the highest-paid defender in the club’s history by signing a six-year deal that will keep him in west London until at least the summer of 2028.

James has emerged as one of the country’s finest right-backs over the last few years and has featured in all but one of Chelsea’s games in the Premier League since the beginning of the season, chipping in with a goal and an assist in the process. He has since been rewarded for his strong form with a bumper new contract that will reportedly see him earn a minimum of £250,000 per week over the next six years.

Chelsea owner Todd Boehly is thought to have prioritised the need to secure the long-term futures of the club’s best players since taking control of the Blues earlier this year. James was thought to be one of the high-profile names on the list and his importance to the side has been reflected in the size of his new deal, which will see him pick up more money than a number of the Premier League’s highest-paid stars.

James is set to receive a greater weekly wage than the likes of Liverpool trio Virgil van Dijk, Andrew Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold as a result of his lucrative contract extension at Chelsea. His new salary also trumps that of Manchester United defenders and fellow England team-mates Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw.

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