Mauricio Pochettino has called on Chelsea captain Reece James to reassert himself as one of the Premier League’s most level-headed stars next season, even if he will have to start next season on a suspension.
Chelsea and England full-back James has controlled 11 appearances for the Blues in an injury-ravaged crusade and will miss Sunday’s season-ending clash with Bournemouth.
The 24-year-old was sent off in Wednesday’s 2-1 league win at Brighton and now faces a four-match suspension for his second red card of the season. That will continue into next season, adding another point of frustration and a setback for James, who had to undergo surgery in December to address his chronic hamstring issues.
But Chelsea manager Pochettino has no doubts about James’ ability to return to the more sensible phase of the game and has promised the Blues will offer plenty of pastoral care in this regard.
“It’s clearly been a very difficult season for Reece, but now we have to help him move on and accept the punishment that is really going to happen,” Pochettino said. “The most important thing now is that we help him, accept it as true. “with him and helping him prepare for the pre-season, start his education and improve his physical condition.
“So the ability is there, for sure next season he’ll be one of the Premier League’s players again. “
One Chelsea star who will face the Cherries at Stamford Bridge on Sunday is Brazilian Thiago Silva.
The 39-year-old was only supposed to stay at Chelsea for one season, but ended up staying there for four, and his influence in west London was so great that he not only gained a new cult following in a corner of the club, but is also sought after in the future.
Silva will make an emotional return to his boyhood club Fluminense this summer, having signed a two-year deal to further his already remarkable playing career beyond his 40th birthday.
The Brazilian defender, who made 113 international appearances, made more than 150 appearances for Les Bleus, Chelsea won the Champions League, Club World Cup and European Super Cup.
Silva needs to become a manager when, despite everything, he hangs up his boots, and the club and the player have already spoken of his arrival on the Stamford Bridge stage in the future.
Chelsea are also reportedly making plans to bring in the centre-back as a direct replacement for Silva this summer.
But before all that, Chelsea fans will display a banner in tribute to him in the stands at Stamford Bridge before kick-off on Sunday. And manager Pochettino has admitted that the persistent defender will leave a hole at Stamford Bridge.
“Of course we will miss Thiago,” Pochettino said. He’s been fantastic throughout his career, but also at Chelsea, and we’ll miss him indeed. It’s tricky when a wonderful character leaves the club, but we also wish him everything productive in the long run and we’re incredibly grateful to him.
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