Mauricio Pochettino reveals he could use Reece James and Noni Madueke in next matches
Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed he is likely to use Noni Madueke and Reece James in the next matches as he wants to utilise every player for pre-season games.
The Blues have continued their winning streak in the pre-season tour as they secured a narrow 4-3 win over Brighton & Hove Albion at Lincoln Financial Field stadium after seeing off Wrexham 5-0 last week.
However, many players have yet to make an appearance in the pre-season matches, including James and Madueke. James was left behind due to illness but joined the squad in the USA and could be on the line-up in the next match.
in the last two games, Malo Gusto filled James’ position (who was signed as his backup from Olympique Lyonnais) and did well against Brighton and Wrexham.
However, when asked about why England International and the 21-year-old have not started any pre-season match yet, (h/t Football.London), Pochettino stated:
“You will see all of the players to play in this tournament and in pre-season. We arrived two-weeks-and-a-half ago and we need to feel all of the players and have the chance to play. Now is the opportunity. If they are here it’s because we want to see them and how they are going not only in training and to compete. That is a massive opportunity and now Fulham and then Newcastle and Dortmund. Of course, no worries, you will see all the players to play.”
It makes sense that James missed the last two games because the right-back was unwell and had a knee scan during a Cobham training session. What Pochettino said is quite logical and it also clarifies that Chelsea are still assessing the futures of some of the players still on the squad.
Of course, it won’t make any sense at all to loan out Madueke. He was signed in January and should be a first-team player on a regular basis especially after Christian Pulisic and Mason Mount’s exit. He can compete with Raheem Sterling for the right-wing spot.
More Chelsea News
- Chelsea are open to paying €90 million for Moises Caicedo’s acquisition
- Leicester City interested in signing Chelsea midfielder Cesare Casadei on loan
- Reece James has undergone a knee scan ahead of crucial pre-season for Chelsea
More will become clear in our next friendly game against Newcastle United on 27 July and against Fulham three days later. We end our pre-season tour of the USA with a friendly against Borussia Dortmund in Chicago, Illinois on August 3.