- Mauricio Pochettino was happy with the return of Chelsea skipper Reece James
- The England defender provided an assist as the Blues beat Nottingham Forest 3-2
- Would a Man United player make the Arsenal team? Listen to the It all starts! podcast
Mauricio Pochettino hailed Reece James’ return after his assist for Chelsea’s winner less than three minutes into his first appearance since December.
The club captain is now back from his hamstring injury that required surgery, and Pochettino added that the 24-year-old will be ready for England at the 2024 European Championship.
“Huge,” Pochettino said of James. ‘It’s unfortunate that there are only two games left and it’s only one week left. He is our captain. We all love him.
‘We will see if he is fit and has a chance to reach the European Championship. He is doing well in training. If his coach at the national team thinks he can compete, I think he’s ready.”
Pochettino also insisted he is happy at Chelsea despite raising the possibility of leaving the club this summer as he clarified his comments earlier this week.
Mauricio Pochettino was happy to see Reece James and insists he is happy to stay at the club
Chelsea skipper James provided the assist for the Blues winner on his return from injury
“I never said I’m not happy,” Pochettino said.
‘I never said that. I said, maybe I’m not happy, maybe I’m happy. But it’s normal, the headline. Sometimes too much honesty when I talk, but that’s no problem. My contract continues for another year.
“Like I said yesterday, I always think long term, thinking it’s going to be here for life. We are professional. We try to win games. We try to make the owners and staff happy. I am responsible for all staff at the training ground in Cobham.
‘I try to make the players and fans happy. That’s my job. Simple [laughs]. So easy.’
