After 5 months out, Reece James returned to action for Chelsea this evening, coming off the bench to grab an assist for Nicolas Jackson’s late winner.
Mauricio Pochettino gushed about him after the game, as you’d expect. He even talked up the right back’s chances of making a late charge for England’s Euros squad.
“Massive [to have him back]. It’s unlucky there are only two games ahead and it’s one week. It is important for him to recover for his feelings and he is such an important player for us. He is our captain. We all love him. Yes, important, and to see whether he will be fit and have a chance of making the Euros,” the coach said.
“We have one more week to work. He is doing well in the training sessions. After four or five months, he’s not the same to train and compete but if he has the possibility to do that in the next two games, and if his coach in the national team believes he can cope with the competition, I think he will be ready.”
A tough call for Blues fans
We’re rather torn on whether we’d like to see James going to Germany with England. On the one hand, he’s only just recovered from another long injury, and the last thing Chelsea need is more minutes in his legs.
On the other hand, it’s been such a tough time for James and it would mean so much for him to go and play with his country.
If he’s fit, he should really go. England have no better option at that position. And it will make the whole tournament more enjoyable having a Blue there to watch. But will Gareth Southgate take the risk on a player who will have a maximum of two starts between now and then? It’s hard to see it from the famously cautious coach.