There was a time when Chelsea’s Reece James was in the cramped tunnel at Stamford Bridge, missing another game through injury, haranguing the referee and ending up getting suspended without even kicking a ball or an opponent.
Now, the Londoner is accepting player of the match awards and calmly reflecting on another outstanding individual display.
James has got a grip of his fitness over this season and last. He’s featured in 55 games compared to 11 in 2023–24. He’s got a grip of his discipline. He’s had only three yellows in 1,906 minutes after two reds in a mere 421 minutes the previous season. James certainly got a grip of a niggly London derby against Arsenal on Sunday.
As he approaches his 26th birthday next week, Reece Lewis James has come of age.






