Reece James Sets Champions League Ambitions Following Strong Nottingham Performance

Chelsea captain Reece James has outlined his goal of returning the Blues to the Champions League soon, following a standout performance against Nottingham.

James, who was officially named Chelsea captain this season, faced a challenging year plagued by injuries. After a five-month absence due to a hamstring injury and subsequent surgery, he made a notable comeback in May during the match against Nottingham.

Despite feeling rusty, James provided a crucial assist in Chelsea’s 3-2 victory over Nottingham, boosting his confidence and underscoring his leadership on the field. Speaking to The Evening Standard, James emphasized the team’s progress: “We are learning every day. We’re still young and a little unstable. But overall, the team came back strong towards the end of the season. European leagues are the best quality tournaments currently. So Chelsea as a top team needs to be in the Champions League, that will be the goal.”

Currently, Chelsea’s chances of qualifying for the Champions League are slim, as they trail Aston Villa by 10 points with only two Premier League rounds remaining. However, the Blues, sitting in 7th place, are in contention for spots in the Europa League or Conference League next season.

Reflecting on his return, James expressed his satisfaction: “It’s my first time playing this year. I’m very determined to come back before the end of the season to help the team and it’s nice to do that in this game.”

James is expected to feature in Chelsea’s remaining matches against Brighton and Bournemouth. However, with the impressive performances of Malo Gusto, James faces the challenge of quickly regaining his form to secure his starting position against the young French talent.