Reece James sends heartfelt message to teammate after his Chelsea masterclass
Reece James dedicated a message to a teammate after his special moment in Chelsea’s Europa Conference League quarter-final win.
Chelsea cruised to a dominant 3-0 victory over Legia Warsaw, with Noni Madueke netting twice and Tyrique George scoring his first senior goal for the club.
The breakthrough came early, with George tapping in after James’ powerful long-range strike was parried into his path–marking a dream moment for the 19-year-old.
Jadon Sancho also had an impressive Chelsea performance, registering two assists for Madueke as the Blues took full control of the tie heading into the second leg at Stamford Bridge.
Following the win, James shared a message for George on social media, celebrating the academy product’s milestone and showing his support for the youngster on what was a memorable night for the club.
Reece James praises Tyrique George after Chelsea’s Conference League win
The Englishman showed his appreciation for Tyrique George on his Instagram story, writing: “Happy for you lil bro.” He also made sure to acknowledge the away support, adding: “Thanks for the travelling fans.”
The right-back has endured an inconsistent season, with his campaign disrupted by recurring injuries and being deployed in unfamiliar roles—including a stint in midfield.
Despite the setbacks, he received a call-up to the England squad and impressed during the international break. James delivered a standout performance against Latvia, scoring a stunning free-kick in a 3-0 win on 24 March.
The 25-year-old has continued to enjoy support from fans, with Chelsea fans criticising Enzo Maresca for playing James out of position rather than in his favoured right-back role.
He has made just 17 appearances this season, scoring twice and registering one assist in a total of 973 minutes on the pitch.
Enzo Maresca under pressure as Chelsea battle for Champions League spot
Earlier in the season, Chelsea looked like surprise title contenders, but recent form has seen them drop into a tight race for a Champions League place.
| Premier League table | Points |
| 4. Chelsea | 53 |
| 5. Newcastle | 53 |
| 6. Man City | 52 |
| 7. Aston Villa | 51 |
Chelsea supporters have voiced frustration with Maresca throughout the campaign, with calls for his dismissal growing louder amid the team’s domestic inconsistency.
However, the Blues have been a different side in Europe–remaining unbeaten in the Europa Conference League and showing signs of promise in knockout competition.
Attention now turns back to the Premier League, with a crucial fixture against Ipswich Town on 13 April as they aim to strengthen their Champions League hopes.