Ciaran Morrison

Thu 19 March 2026 17:00, UK

Follow us on Google Discover

Chelsea star Reece James’ new contract at the club is tailored towards bigger performance-related incentives for success on the pitch.

That is according to ex-Everton, Aston Villa, and Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who thinks other players should follow James’ decision when agreeing new contracts.

James is the club’s highest paid player, and his new deal will see him remain at Stamford Bridge until 2032.

The 26-year-old remains dedicated to the club he has been at since the age of six, and the England international has been captain since 2023.

Chelsea’s financial situation, with their latest accounts reporting a loss of £355million, means the club will have to utilise player trading in the summer transfer window, but James’ new contract confirms he will not be leaving west London.

Reece James ‘backs himself’ with performance-related contract

Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes James has a made a “wise decision” with his new contract agreement.

Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness states the details of James’ new deal.

He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “Look, I think his basic wage is going to be lower than it was before. And this is exactly what we just talked about, of having to work your squad harder and get the budgets back in shape.

“I think Reece James is one of the top players, but he is an example of a player now who’s taken an extra few years on his contract, so he’s got an assured level of earning for an extra period of time as opposed to a higher amount for a shorter period of time.

“I think that’s a wise decision and I think he has taken a lower basic and bigger performance related, and he’s going to back himself. Now, I think that’s great, and I think that’s what a lot of players should be prepared to do, because they’re on big money anyway on the basics. 

“They’re comfortable, they’re set for life. So if they really believe in themselves, then yes, they can go for the really big money, but let’s perform.” 

Liam Rosenior makes goalkeeping decision

Sources have told Football Insider that Chelsea will give Mike Penders an opportunity to become the club’s number one goalkeeper next season.

Penders is currently on loan at Strasbourg, where he has kept eight clean sheets in 25 Ligue 1 matches this campaign.

The 20-year-old worked under Liam Rosenior at the French club this season before he became manager of Chelsea in January.