REPORT: MANCHESTER CITY EYE RAID ON CHELSEA AMID FINANCIAL CRISIS, £58,000-A-WEEK MAN WANTED.

 James joined the Chelsea academy as a youth and turned professional in 2017, a season where he captained the under-18s to victory in the FA Youth Cup and was named Academy Player of the Season. A productive loan spell with Wigan Athletic of the Championship saw him promoted to the Chelsea first team upon his return in 2019, after which he began to establish himself as a regular fixture at right-back and earn a long-term contract extension in January 2020.

After representing England at various youth levels, James was called up to the full international side for the first time in October 2020, earning his first cap against Wales.

Early life

James was born in Redbridge, Greater London, and attended Isleworth and Syon School. He belongs to a footballing family, where his sister, Lauren is also a professional footballer.Lauren signed for Chelsea Women in July 2021.Their father Nigel is a football coach.

Early career

James began training with Chelsea at the age of six, but had a short spell at West London rivals Fulham when he was seven. He turned professional with Chelsea in March 2017. During the 2017–18 season he captained the under-18s to win the FA Youth Cup and was named Academy Player of the Season. He signed a new four-year contract with the club in June 2018.

2018–19 season: Loan to Wigan Athletic

Later that month he joined Championship club Wigan Athletic on loan for the 2018–19 season. In March 2019, he was selected to the 2018–19 Championship Team of the Season. He won three awards at Wigan Athletic's end of season awards, including Player of the Year.

2019–20 season

On 25 September 2019, James made his debut for Chelsea after returning from injury. He scored his first goal and assisted two in a 7–1 win over Grimsby Town in the third round of the 2019–20 EFL Cup.[16] James became Chelsea's youngest ever goalscorer in the UEFA Champions League when he scored the fourth goal of their 4–4 comeback draw with Ajax on 5 November 2019.[17] He signed a long-term contract extension with Chelsea on 16 January 2020.[18]

2020–21 season

On 14 September 2020, James scored his first Premier League goal, in a 3–1 win for Chelsea against Brighton & Hove Albion.[19] On 5 December, James made his 50th appearance for Chelsea in all competitions in the club's 3–1 league win over Leeds United.[20]

In January 2021, James was subject to racist abuse online.[21][22] In March 2021, he deleted his Instagram account in response to the abuse he received.[23] On 29 May, James won his first-ever Champions League as Chelsea won 1–0 against Manchester City in the 2021 UEFA Champions League Final in Porto.[24]

2021–22 season

On 28 August, James was sent off at the end of the first half of a 1–1 draw against Liverpool due to a handball incident.

International career

Youth

James has represented England at youth level from under-18 up to under-21. In May 2017, James was included in the under-20 squad for the 2017 Toulon Tournament. He started in the final as England beat the Ivory Coast to retain their title. In July 2017, James was part of the under-19 squad that won the 2017 UEFA European Under-19 Championship. He started in the semi-final against the Czech Republic.

James was a member of the under-20 squad that travelled to the 2019 Toulon Tournament and was carried off on a stretcher with ankle ligament damage during the first half of the final group game defeat to Chile on 7 June 2019. On 4 October 2019, James was included in the under-21 squad for the first time. He made his under-21 debut during the 3–0 2021 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification victory away to Albania on 15 November 2019.

Senior

On 5 October 2020, James was called up for the first time to the senior team by manager Gareth Southgate following an injury to Raheem Sterling.He made his debut on 8 October at Wembley Stadium, coming on as a 58th-minute substitute for Kieran Trippier in a 3–0 win over Wales. He was sent off for dissent after the final whistle in his second start, against Denmark. James was named in the 26-man England squad for Euro 2020.

In November 2021, he said that he was in the best form of his career, and that he hoped to become England's first-choice right-back.

According to the Daily Mail, Manchester City are planning to take advantage of Chelsea’s financial problems, with Reece James in their sights.

WHAT’S THE STORY?

Well, Chelsea look set to lose a number of world class players this summer, after the UK Government sanctioned Roman Abramovich.

According to The Athletic, Chelsea’s credit cards have been frozen by Barclays, meaning they can’t even fill the team bus with petrol.

To put the perilous situation into context, Chelsea’s wage bill is £28m-a-month.

Clearly, if the Blues can’t even buy petrol for the team bus, there is no way they can operate with a salary bill like that.

Nevertheless, Chelsea’s woes could now benefit Manchester City.

The Daily Mail believe the Citizens view James as a long-term replacement for Kyle Walker, although Real Madrid are also interested.So far this season, the £58,000-a-week man has scored six goals in 17 Premier League appearances, while also providing six assists.

MANCHESTER CITY COULD RUIN CHELSEA

In truth, the major attraction of playing for Chelsea is the fact that they win silverware most seasons, and pay their players very, very well.

That is exactly what Manchester City do, so if Chelsea end up needing to sell to survive, Pep Guardiola could completely devastate Thomas Tuchel’s squad.

The likes of N’Golo Kante, Romelu Lukaku, Ben Chilwell and Jorginho could all now leave Stamford Bridge, and if they are interested, Manchester City could sign them with ease, and for bargain sums.

Unless a buyer is found soon, Chelsea fans may have to sit and watch helplessly as their side is picked apart by football’s vultures.

Manchester City have 'added Reece James to their wishlist' this summer, according to reports.

The Athletic claim that Pep Guardiola is a 'huge admirer' of the Chelsea right-back and his Man City side are interested in bringing him to the Etihad Stadium.

James enjoyed a fine time for the Blues last term, with his form under both Frank Lampard and Thomas Tuchel earning him a place in England's 26-man squad for the ongoing European Championships.

The 21-year-old has shown his versatility during his time at Stamford Bridge, where he has played in the centre of defence, right wing-back, right-back and can also do a stellar job in central midfield, something that has seemingly caught Guardiola 's attention.

These rather surprising transfer rumours emerged on Saturday morning, but James has previously declared his love for Chelsea in the past, claiming it has always been his "dream" to one day play in the Blues' first-team.