Reece James Set To Become The Highest Paid Defender In Chelsea’s History

Reece James will become the highest-paid defender in Chelsea’s history after agreeing a new long-term contract with the club.

The deal is not yet signed, but is expected to be in the coming days, according to The Athletic.

It will be an enormous pay rise for the England international who had been on relatively modest wages compared to many of his teammates after signing his current contract in January 2020, only shortly after breaking into the first team.

The 22-year-old will jump to being one of the highest-paid players in the Blues squad, and his contract will outstrip legendary defenders at Stamford Bridge like John Terry and Ashley Cole.

The length of the contract has not been announced, but it is expected to be a very long one given the recent activity of the new Chelsea owners.

Wesley Fofana signed from Leicester earlier this week and put pen to paper on a seven-year contract, while Armando Broja has signed a new deal at Stamford Bridge which runs until 2028.

James is thought to have been offered a seven-year contract, with Mason Mount also in talks to sign a long new deal with the Blues.

The right-back will likely come straight back into the Chelsea team on Saturday when they host West Ham at 3pm after he sat out of the defeat to Southampton through illness.

He has started the other four Premier League outings under Thomas Tuchel so far this campaign and is keen to keep up his high level of performance as the World Cup fast approaches.