James on his new contract, personal goals and best moments in a Chelsea shirt- source chelsea

Reece James signed a new six-year contract with Chelsea this month and explains what he hopes to achieve with the club during that time, as well as looking back at some of the highlights of his time with the Blues so far. The Academy graduate was rewarded for his excellent performances and growing importance to the team with a fresh long-term deal at the start of September, meaning the journey he began with the Blues at the age of six will now continue until at least 2028. James is currently on international duty with England and played against Italy on Friday, with a game against Germany tonight in the UEFA Nations League, but the 22-year-old spoke to the official Chelsea matchday programme before departing, discussing his immediate aims at Stamford Bridge and favourite moments with the Blues so far. You’ve signed a new six-year contract. What’s the main challenge for you in that time? ‘It’s always good to sign a new contract, to know that you’re stable and going to be here for a long period. ‘The last few years have been good, but we’ve been to finals where we’ve lost as well. We want to win every competition we enter, and if we get to the final, there’s no reason why we shouldn’t be going all the way.‘There have been a few where we’ve got there, but there have also been a few domestic trophies that we haven’t picked up, which needs to change.’ What about in the more immediate short-term. What’s your main personal aim for this season? ‘The biggest thing for me this season is staying fit, not getting injured. I think last season I did well with my performances – my stats, goals and assists, clean sheets were all the best they’ve been – but I was injured for maybe three or four months and that was too long. So, I think if I stay on the pitch I will surpass what I did last season. ‘Obviously it’s tough when you get an injury. I think the first day or two are the hardest – when you realise how long you’re going to be out. Then you start working back and looking on the bright side. You try and set targets, but I did that last season and came back too soon, and got injured again. These things are very frustrating – working your way back and then being out for another three weeks is not what you want.’