Reece James hasn’t played for Chelsea for a couple of games after limping off injured, so it was a surprise to see him selected for the England senior squad by Gareth Southgate yesterday.
Asked about that selection in his press conference today, Thomas Tuchel joked that he thought it was the England Water Polo team that James had been picked for, given he has only been training in the pool this week.
In quotes picked up by Football.London, the Chelsea quipped:
“I thought maybe he was called up to the England water polo team as he is only training in the pool.”
Cracking line from Tuchel on Reece James: "I thought maybe he was called up to the England water polo team as he is only training in the pool, not for the football team." https://t.co/nK7q8L9CbL
— Sam Inkersole (@Sam_InkersoleTM) October 1, 2021
He went on to say he assumes the whole thing must be a misunderstanding, as there is no way Reece will be fit for England duty next week. Presumably, a replacement will be called up and James will have the chance to recover at Cobham.
He’s been a big miss for us in the last few games, and it’s essential we get him back fit and firing if we want to get back to winning ways.
