According to the Independent, Chelsea “will” offer a new contract extension to 19-year-old Reece James, despite three years still left on his current deal. It would be both a reward for his season as well as an attempt to avoid another Hudson-Odoi situation.
Exclusive: Chelsea will offer Reece James a new long-term contract this summer, despite having three years left on his current deal, and are confident the 19-year-old will sign #CFC https://t.co/hi91mRFciO
— Tom Kershaw (@trlkershaw) May 20, 2019
James had an amazing loan spell at Championship club Wigan Athletic, in what was only his first season as a senior professional. In addition to a clean sweep of the club’s end of season awards, in similar fashion to Eden Hazard at Chelsea, including Players’ Player of the Year, Player of the Year and Goal of the Year, he was also named in the Championship Team of the Season despite Wigan battling relegation throughout the season.
His great performances had not gone unnoticed by Premier League clubs either. Manchester United and Brighton have been linked recently, adding further motivation to Chelsea’s intentions to tie him to the club as long as possible. And when we consider the club’s new financial realities (no longer the biggest purse), not to mention the transfer ban as well, it becomes imperative that we do not lose someone of James’s qualities.
That would certainly be a smart move from Chelsea, and hopefully Reece is fully on board as well. Here’s to our glorious homegrown future!