Mauricio Pochettino hopes to keep Chelsea star Reece James fit before Euros 2024
Chelsea ace Reece James made a triumphant return to the pitch after a lengthy spell on the sidelines due to a hamstring injury. The Chelsea captain had been sidelined for five months following surgery but made a remarkable comeback in the match against Nottingham Forest. Despite expectations that he would return after the end of the season, James was fit enough to feature in the game and played a crucial role in securing a hard-fought 3-2 victory for the Blues.
In his comeback appearance, James provided an assist that proved to be the match-winner for Chelsea. Coming off the bench in the 79th minute, the England international made an immediate impact, showcasing his quality with a decisive contribution just three minutes later. His assist not only secured the victory but also highlighted his importance to the team, reaffirming his status as a key player for Chelsea.
This significant moment for James marks a promising step in his recovery journey. With important competitions like the Euros 2024 on the horizon, James will be eager to regain full fitness and make a strong case for inclusion in Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions squad. His return to form and fitness is not only a boost for Chelsea but also bodes well for the national team as they prepare for upcoming challenges.
But when asked about James’ chances of securing a place in England’s squad for the Euro 2024, Pochettino gave an optimistic reply on the 24-year-old fitness and told the reporters ahead of the Brighton & Hove Albion game via Football.London:
”’He is training really well. Now we need to control the game-time. We want him to finish the season really well. We want him to play a little bit more than last game.”
James’s return to action is just the first step in regaining full fitness, and regular playing time in the remaining matches of the season will be crucial for him to build match fitness and sharpness. Pochettino’s decision to potentially use James in the remaining games has taken a blow with the player getting sent off against Brighton last night.
Ultimately, the decision on whether James will be included in the England squad for the Euros will rest with Gareth Southgate. Southgate will need to assess James’s form, fitness, and overall readiness for tournament football before making his final squad selections.
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We don’t know if James merits the chance to be named on the English roster but given how instantly he showed what we missed over the months is enough to highlight that he is a massive impactful player whose abilities should never be questioned. Back in November when he returned from injury the Three Lions manager decided to call him. Thus, this further indicates how highly rated James is for his national team and we hope he gets to represent England at Euros 2024.