Chelsea to start 2024-25 Premier League season without a front-of-shirt sponsor: Reports
Reports suggest that Chelsea will begin the 2024-25 Premier League season without a front-of-shirt sponsor after failing to secure a deal this summer. The west London club are looking for a one-year deal and are hopeful of finding one imminently.
The Blues will hope to secure a sponsorship deal soon to avoid heading into desperate waters later in the season. A similar situation played out last season before the Stamford Bridge club secured a deal with 'BingX' for their sleeve sponsorship.
As per football finance expert Lukasz Baczek, Chelsea's previous front-of-shirt sponsorship with 'Infinite Athlete' ended on Sunday, August 11.
The Premier League giants begin their campaign coming Sunday (August 18) when they face Manchester City at Stamford Bridge. New Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca faces a daunting opponent on his debut, as he takes on his former employer and reigning league winner Pep Guardiola at home.
Chelsea captain suffers injury scare ahead of Premier League opener
Chelsea captain Reece James is reportedly suffering from an injury ahead of his side's Premier League opener against Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on August 18. The English full-back started in all five of his club's preseason games but reported some discomfort following his return from the team's tour of the United States.
Transfermarkt puts the injury down as a hamstring injury, which would be the fourth time he has had a similar issue since 2023.
The Blues will anyway be prepared for the England international's absence in the Premier League opener, with the fullback already set to miss the first three games of the season through suspension. James was sent off in the penultimate game of last season against Brighton on May 15, seeing a straight red in the game.
The 24-year-old is one of the key players in a dynamic Chelsea dressing room, coming through the club's own Cobham youth system to make 158 games and score 11 while providing 22 assists. The right-back is highly rated, featuring 16 times for his country so far.
Reece James is also a reminder of past success and glory for the Premier League side. The defender was part of the team that was crowned UEFA Champions League winners in 2020-21. He also helped the team to UEFA Super Cup success.
The west London side will be keen to have the defender back in their ranks in the coming weeks.