EPL Champions after Chelsea academy product

Manchester City have joined the race to sign Chelsea defender Reece James.

The 21-year-old star has been an important figure in the side since Thomas Tuchel’s arrival in January.

He delivered another excellent display in the Blues’ victory over Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League final last month as he ensured Raheem Sterling was ‘pocketed’ throughout the encounter.

And according to The Athletic, the Citizens are now interested in signing James this summer as he was shortlisted by the EPL Champions.

The report says that Pep Guardiola is ‘a huge admirer’ of Reece and has been impressed with the player’s performances against City last season.

Reece with the UCL trophy

Chelsea, however, are intent on keeping their academy graduate at Stamford Bridge as he has still has four years remaining on his current deal.

Speaking about his development under Tuchel, James said earlier in June: ‘When a new manager comes in and you’re not in the team straight away you have to accept the decision.

‘You have to work hard, try and prove to the manager that you should be playing.

‘These moments come around quite often in football, things happen so fast and I didn’t really get advice off anyone, I just went into training, carried on working hard and when I got my opportunity I knew I had to take it.

‘At the start of the season we had Frank Lampard and I was very lucky to play the majority of the games under him but when our new manager came in our style of play and formation changed. It was a big learning curve.’