Cobham graduate Reece James continues to be one of the club’s most-valuable players despite his injury issues over the years
Reece James and Mauricio Pochettino
Mauricio Pochettino has already explained his stance over Reece James
The millions of pounds spent on new signings at Chelsea under the Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital ownership is intended to bring success to Stamford Bridge. However, it also brings its negatives.
Over £1billion has been spent across the last three transfer windows, with last season’s 12th-place finish in the Premier League coming as a huge shock to the system. The appointment of Mauricio Pochettino was viewed as a step in the right direction but the Argentine has, so far, struggled to get results.
Success isn’t guaranteed in football, but there are a number of players within the current squad that have won trophies and are more than capable of returning the club to the top.
One of them is captain Reece James. The right-back has been one of the club’s best players when available, though injuries have consistently damaged his game time.
During Thomas Tuchel’s tenure at the club, James played a starring role in the Champions League win. In fact, his performances have earned him the captain’s armband and a new contract in SW6 but rumours have linked him with a move away.
Now, reports have suggested that Tuchel is aiming to strike a reunion with James at Bayern Munich. The German giants are thought to be interested in the 23-year-old as a replacement for Benjamin Pavard – who joined Inter Milan.
And as every Chelsea supporter will be thinking: not a chance. The Blues simply cannot justify even considering allowing James to leave. A Cobham graduate who loves the club, the right-back is almost guaranteed to be one of the players to help Pochettino drag the club back to the pinnacle of England and European football.
Earlier in the season, Pochettino was full of praise for James, perhaps revealing his stance on any potential sale: “He’s a player that can be a leader, his character, his qualities,” he said. “He’s present and the future of the club. He’s a perfect player, person, to be captain.”
With his new long-term contract and captaincy opportunity in mind, it would likely take a push by the player himself for us to see an exit for James. Despite their lack of European football and struggles in the Premier League, Chelsea are still able to fend off competition from some of the world’s best. For now.
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