“He does not go” – Thomas Tuchel has his say on defender’s national call up

Chelsea want to pull Reece James out of Gareth Southgate England squad, claims Thomas Tuchel

Speaking in an interview after the win against Middlesborough in the FA Cup as quoted by Daily Mail, Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has revealed that the Blues are in the process to pull Reece James out of the latest England squad to manage his fitness after a long-term injury.

Tuchel’s side beat Middlesbrough 2-0 in the FA Cup quarter-final last night in which the English right-back was absent due to injury. The German manager’s admission comes on the back of Liverpool pulling Trent Alexander-Arnold out of the national squad citing injury concerns.

It remains to be seen how Southgate deals with this situation In the squad that was announced recently, only James and TAA were the natural right wing-backs. If the duo misses out on international duty this time around, perhaps the Three Lions boss could call up Kyle Walker, who was axed from the initial England squad.

Tuchel revealed that technical and sporting director Petr Cech is in contact with Southgate over the news on James. If left out, the Chelsea right-back will miss the 1966 FIFA World Cup winners’ games against Switzerland and Ivory Coast.

“Petr Cech will have this chat. The recommendation is that he does not go”

An injury ridden campaign?

Although James has been sensational for the Blues this season whenever he has played, scoring 6 goals and providing 7 assists in 26 matches, he has suffered from injuries.

The English international injured his hamstring in the game against Brighton in December. Despite making a comeback two months later, he got injured again in the clash against Burnley and has been out since. Cesar Azpilicueta’s injury in the Carabao Cup final forced James to come into the game earlier than Tuchel would have wanted him to.

Tuchel has revealed that the English international is just returning to fitness and has been in individual training. The Blues cannot afford another injury to James and it’s not surprising that they want him to not be a part of England’s squad.

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Reece James is just returning from an injury and considering that it’s a long-term injury it’s wise not to risk him yet. The Blues seem to be making the right decision with James but it remains to be seen what Southgate thinks of it. With Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool also apparently out with an injury, it would also be interesting to see the Three Lions’ preferred right-back during this international break.