Sport nation“players like Havertz were the reason why Arsenal were better than us last season” Reece James explains the reason for Chelsea problems last season and we may do better than Arsenal this season
James explained his frustration behind Chelsea’s problems last season
The Blues full-back endured a difficult campaign hampered by injuries
But explained the club’s problems were made worse by players wanting to leave
Chelsea defender Reece James has questioned the commitment of former players at the club and insisted there were some who ‘didn’t want to be there’ last season.
The Blues endured their second-worst Premier League campaign as they finished 12th on just 44 points, losing 16 top-flight fixtures and ended the season 27 points adrift of the Champions League places.
A turbulent year saw Thomas Tuchel sacked and replaced by Graham Potter, only for the Englishman to have his long-term contract torn up following a difficult run of results and Frank Lampard returning on an interim basis until the end of the season.
Ex-Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has been appointed as the man to save Chelsea and is overseeing a clear-out of talent in a bid to reduce the club’s previously bloated squad.
James has kept his place at Stamford Bridge but quick exits have been sanctioned for regular first-teamers Kai Havertz (Arsenal), Mason Mount (Manchester United), Mateo Kovacic (Man City), Christian Pulisic (AC Milan), Kalidou Koulibaly (Al-Hilal), Edouard Mendy (Al-Ahli), Ruben Loftus-Cheek (AC Milan), N’Golo Kante (Al-Ittihad), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Marseille) and Cesar Azpilicueta (Atletico Madrid).
Chelsea defender Reece James (left) has explained some players didn’t want to be at the club last season
Chelsea defender Reece James (left) has explained some players didn’t want to be at the club last season
Long-term Chelsea servant Mason Mount called time on his Blues career as he left to join Manchester United
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Long-term Chelsea servant Mason Mount called time on his Blues career as he left to join Manchester United
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The outspoken Chelsea full-back explained that it was the ‘toughest’ he has ever experienced but pointed some of the reasons behind the club’s struggles at now-departed players.
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‘Last season was probably the toughest I have experienced,’ James explained on Chelsea’s pre-season tour of America.
‘I feel we are moving in the right direction, it was very difficult last season because there was lots of change, some players probably didn’t want to be there because they weren’t playing so it was difficult.
‘Now we are onto a new page and are looking forward to this season.
‘Since the new staff and manager has come in the energy has changed and it’s been a very good atmosphere. I think you can see that in our recent performances,’ he added.
James didn’t name specific players to blame for Chelsea’s ‘frustrations’ but some high-profile departures could be at the forefront of his mind after quick exits were negotiated with interested clubs.
Havertz endured a difficult season where he was unsuccessfully moulded into Chelsea’s striker for the season despite best being played in midfield.
He was the first big name to leave with rivals Arsenal striking a £65m deal for the German and his bags were packed for the Emirates.
Edouard Mendy also left to join a Saudi club
Similarly, Mason Mount had been a dedicated servant to Chelsea after rising through the club’s academy ranks before becoming a regular in the first-team and winning the Champions League with the club.
However, the Englishman was disappointed with contract negotiations over a new deal and eventually rejected renewed terms to pursue a move to Manchester United.
Kovacic was the next midfielder to leave with Manchester City wrapping up a deal for him to replace their departed captain Ilkay Gundogan who chose to join Barcelona at the end of his contract.
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Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang lasted just one season after joining under Tuchel before being shunted to the bench and booted out of Chelsea’s Champions League squad.
The disgruntled striker started just five Premier League games and scored one goal before quickly leaving to sign for French side Marseille.
James himself sustained a difficult personal season hampered by injury that also saw him miss the World Cup with England and explained that he is working hard to be fit for the new season.
‘I wish I could look into the future, I don’t know if they [injuries] are over but I am trying my best to stay on the field, working hard with the managers, staff, physios and trying to make sure I am ready for every game.’
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Reece James explained his frustration behind Chelsea’s problems last season
The Blues full-back endured a difficult campaign hampered by injuries
But explained the club’s problems were made worse by players wanting to leave
Chelsea defender Reece James has questioned the commitment of former players at the club and insisted there were some who ‘didn’t want to be there’ last season.
The Blues endured their second-worst Premier League campaign as they finished 12th on just 44 points, losing 16 top-flight fixtures and ended the season 27 points adrift of the Champions League places.
A turbulent year saw Thomas Tuchel sacked and replaced by Graham Potter, only for the Englishman to have his long-term contract torn up following a difficult run of results and Frank Lampard returning on an interim basis until the end of the season.
Ex-Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has been appointed as the man to save Chelsea and is overseeing a clear-out of talent in a bid to reduce the club’s previously bloated squad.
James has kept his place at Stamford Bridge but quick exits have been sanctioned for regular first-teamers Kai Havertz (Arsenal), Mason Mount (Manchester United), Mateo Kovacic (Man City), Christian Pulisic (AC Milan), Kalidou Koulibaly (Al-Hilal), Edouard Mendy (Al-Ahli), Ruben Loftus-Cheek (AC Milan), N’Golo Kante (Al-Ittihad), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Marseille) and Cesar Azpilicueta (Atletico Madrid).
Chelsea defender Reece James (left) has explained some players didn’t want to be at the club last season
Chelsea defender Reece James (left) has explained some players didn’t want to be at the club last season
Long-term Chelsea servant Mason Mount called time on his Blues career as he left to join Manchester United
+10
View gallery
Long-term Chelsea servant Mason Mount called time on his Blues career as he left to join Manchester United
TRANSFER GOSSIP: West Ham eye DOUBLE Man United swoop
1.6k viewing now
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s dad labels Chelsea spell a ‘nightmare’
9k viewing now
Callum Hudson-Odoi ‘agrees personal terms with Fulham’
4.5k viewing now
The outspoken Chelsea full-back explained that it was the ‘toughest’ he has ever experienced but pointed some of the reasons behind the club’s struggles at now-departed players.
David De Gea ‘REJECTScontract offer from Inter Milan’
‘Last season was probably the toughest I have experienced,’ James explained on Chelsea’s pre-season tour of America.
‘I feel we are moving in the right direction, it was very difficult last season because there was lots of change, some players probably didn’t want to be there because they weren’t playing so it was difficult.
‘Now we are onto a new page and are looking forward to this season.
‘Since the new staff and manager has come in the energy has changed and it’s been a very good atmosphere. I think you can see that in our recent performances,’ he added.
James didn’t name specific players to blame for Chelsea’s ‘frustrations’ but some high-profile departures could be at the forefront of his mind after quick exits were negotiated with interested clubs.
Havertz endured a difficult season where he was unsuccessfully moulded into Chelsea’s striker for the season despite best being played in midfield.
He was the first big name to leave with rivals Arsenal striking a £65m deal for the German and his bags were packed for the Emirates.
Edouard Mendy also left to join a Saudi club
Similarly, Mason Mount had been a dedicated servant to Chelsea after rising through the club’s academy ranks before becoming a regular in the first-team and winning the Champions League with the club.
However, the Englishman was disappointed with contract negotiations over a new deal and eventually rejected renewed terms to pursue a move to Manchester United.
Kovacic was the next midfielder to leave with Manchester City wrapping up a deal for him to replace their departed captain Ilkay Gundogan who chose to join Barcelona at the end of his contract.
+10
View gallery
+10
View gallery
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang lasted just one season after joining under Tuchel before being shunted to the bench and booted out of Chelsea’s Champions League squad.
The disgruntled striker started just five Premier League games and scored one goal before quickly leaving to sign for French side Marseille.
James himself sustained a difficult personal season hampered by injury that also saw him miss the World Cup with England and explained that he is working hard to be fit for the new season.
‘I wish I could look into the future, I don’t know if they [injuries] are over but I am trying my best to stay on the field, working hard with the managers, staff, physios and trying to make sure I am ready for every game.’
Share or comment on this article: Reece James admits last season was ‘frustrating’ because ‘some players didn’t want to be at Chelsea’ – with Mason Mount and Kai Havertz among the THIRTEEN stars to have left the Blues already this summer
How Man United target Rasmus Hojlund compares to Man City’s Erling Haaland as Erik ten Hag targets his very own young, blond, Scandinavian striker
AZ Alkmaar fined £68,000 after fans tried to storm West Ham area in Europa Conference League clash… in which ‘Knollsy’ went viral for fending off Dutch ultras
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson appears to film farewell message to fans at empty Anfield stadium ahead of controversial move to Al-Ettifaq
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s dad calls his Chelsea spell a nightmare and reveals ‘relief’…
Jonny Bairstow’s surgeon feared England star would NEVER play again as he compares his leg injury treatment to ‘putting Humpty Dumpty back together’
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