As someone with Chelsea in his blood and a winning mentality etched in his mindset from a young age, Reece James believes the club’s aims will not waver next season despite the impending change of ownership at Stamford Bridge.
Uncertainty has surrounded the club in recent months, but hopefully a fresh start will be confirmed soon, and full focus can return to matters on the pitch. That was where James once again shone over the course of the 2021/22 campaign, even if injury meant he did not play as much as he, his manager or the supporters would have liked.
Despite the upheaval Chelsea still finished with two pieces of silverware to our name, and so nearly two more. It is that competitive instinct that gives James confidence next season will be no different.
‘It’s been a strange moment for the club with the change of owners, it’s going to be different moving forward, but our ambition is still going to be the same,’ he stressed.
‘We are a massive club in the world, and our aim is still going to be to win every trophy we can. The players at this club are ambitious. You’re playing at this club for a reason. The quality is so high.
‘No matter the owner, we are the ones who go out and perform on the pitch. Next season we are going to have many competitions to play and hopefully get some more trophies under our belt. We’ve got enough quality so there’s no reason why we can’t do it.’
James finished the season with 39 appearances, six goals and 10 assists to his name. He racked up nearly 3000 minutes of football and starred whether at right wing-back, on the right side of the back three or drifting inside to bolster midfield.
However, the 22-year-old takes no comfort from the praise heaped on him by Thomas Tuchel when a hamstring issue ruled him out for the best part of two months.
‘This season has probably been my worst season for injuries,’ lamented James. ‘I have picked up more than I ever have before.
‘I don’t want to be out for people to say he’s missed. I want to play every game I can. That’s something I need to work on going into the new season. There are a few things I can adapt or change to make sure I don’t reoccur the same injury.’
Finally, James had a message for the Chelsea faithful as a turbulent campaign reached its conclusion. His name was sung loud and proud during the lap of appreciation on Sunday.
‘Thanks to all the fans that supported us during the difficult spells of the season, none of it goes unseen,’ James emphasised.
‘Next season we will need all our fans again and hopefully we can win more titles together.’