Reece James has Champions League winner's medal stolen in burglary
By Tom Gott
Chelsea right-back Reece James has revealed that a safe containing his Champions League winners medal was stolen in a burglary at his home on Tuesday night.
The 21-year-old has enjoyed an outstanding few months on the pitch, winning both the Champions League and Super Cup with Chelsea and adding a runners-up medal for England's run to the Euro 2020 final.
Unfortunately, James took to Instagram to reveal that all three had been stolen by burglars while he was playing at Stamford Bridge in Tuesday's 1-0 win over Zenit St Petersburg.
"On the evening of the 14th of September 2021 when I was playing for my club in the return of the Champions League, a group of cowardly robbers [burglars] broke into my house," he said. "They managed to collectively lift a heavy safe containing some personal items of mine into their car.
"I never keep any jewellery of mine in my house so all that was contained in the safe were my Champions League winners medal and Super Cup winners medal and the runners up medal for the Euro 2020. These medals were won representing Chelsea and England - honours that can never be taken away from me whether or not I have the physical medals to prove it.
"Nevertheless, I am appealing to all my Chelsea and England fans to help identify and turn in these low life individuals who will never be able to rest easy as the evidence is mounting against them. The police, my advisers and Chelsea FC (and many others) are all behind me as we have firm leads on who the perpetrators are. We are closing in on them.
"Luckily, no one was present during the break in but I want to let all of you know I am safe and well. I really do appreciate having the platform to tell you all about my misfortune and I hope together we can catch these individuals and deliver justice where it is due."
James had a solid performance on the right of Chelsea's midfield during the Zenit game, which was won courtesy of a header from star man Romelu Lukaku midway through the second half.
The result leaves Chelsea second in Group H, behind leaders Juventus on goal difference after the Serie A side thumped Malmo 3-0.