Chelsea's Reece James lose champions league winners' medal to robbery incident

Chelsea's Reece James's home was burgled on the night he was on duty with Chelsea against Zenith St. Petersburg. (Photo credit: Sky Sports)

Chelsea’s versatile right-back Reece James has said his house was burgled by suspected robbers and they made away with a safe containing valuables while he was on duty for Chelsea in the champions league on Tuesday against Zenith St. Petersburg.

Chelsea began their title defence on Tuesday with a 1-0 win over the Russian club but the 21-year-old defender came off worse with an unfortunate incident at his residence where he reportedly lost his champions league medal, Super Cup winners medal and Euro 2020 runners up medal.

James posted security footage on Instagram of the robbers walking around his property before dragging the safe to a car, appealing for help from fans to identify the perpetrators.

“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 broke into my house. They managed to collectively lift a heavy safe containing some personal items of mine into their car.

I never keep any jewelry 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.”