“I won’t be back for the last game”- Chelsea player apologises to fans for poor season
Reece James, the Chelsea defender, expressed regret to the fans through his Instagram story and emphasized his determination to compete for trophies in the upcoming season.
The interim manager, Frank Lampard, confirmed that James would be absent from the last game of the current season against Newcastle United due to a hamstring injury.
James, who has been sidelined since the loss to Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final, has faced multiple injuries throughout this season.
He wrote on his Instagram stories:
“I’m sure you’ve seen the news. I wont be back for the last game. It’s been tough for me. I’m sorry this szn hasn’t gone as we all wanted. Next szn I’ll be back stronger than ever, and we’ll be back fighting for trophies! Stay well and see u soon. Love u all – Reece.”
Regardless of the outcome on Sunday, Chelsea is on track to finish in the lower half of the league table. Their performance in both domestic cup competitions was also subpar.
When objectively assessing the season, it becomes evident that the club’s hierarchy had a dismal year. Their decision to sign 15 players across two transfer windows without offloading many was illogical. This strategy resulted in a bloated squad lacking cohesion.
Throughout the season, there has been a pattern of managers, starting with Thomas Tuchel, then Graham Potter, and now Lampard, facing difficulties in extracting the best from the players.
Upon Mauricio Pochettino’s arrival as the new manager, it will be crucial for him to promptly assess the squad and determine which players should be sold. Once this task is completed, Pochettino and his staff can turn their attention towards acquiring new players.
Chelsea’s priority in the summer should be securing a striker if they aim to regain a spot in the top four next season. However, the question remains whether they can attract a quality striker without the prospect of European football. Only time will tell, and we will have to wait and see how it unfolds.
In the past 18 months, Reece James, the England international, has been plagued by numerous muscle injuries, causing him to miss a significant number of games. Considering his importance to the team, it is disappointing that he hasn’t been able to play more consistently, especially at the age of 23. The hope is that he can have a productive pre-season and subsequently experience better luck with injuries in the upcoming season and beyond.
“I won’t be back for the last game”- Chelsea player apologises to fans for poor season
