Nizaar Kinsella was on the London is Blue podcast this week, where he said that Mauricio Pochettino is keen to reintroduce Reece James to the team slowly, to ease his return and try to improve his overall medical picture.
“He really wants to build James’ fitness and reintroduce him in the right way,” Kinsella said.
For this reason, the signing and form of new backup Malo Gusto have been important. Clearly attempts to bring him back into the team in the past have been rushed.
It’s not exactly a scoop or an exclusive from Kinsella, but it confirms what was assumed ever since news of our signing of Gusto was announced back in January – that he’s going to play almost as much as James himself.
🗣️@NizaarKinsella: “Malo Gusto’s performances have been really impressive and have given Chelsea the security to not push Reece James back from injury. Pochettino really wants to build James’ fitness and reintroduce him the right way.” 🙌
Full episode 👉 https://t.co/v6uFx494FG pic.twitter.com/9RzVSO9UmL
— London Is Blue Podcast ⭐️⭐️ (@LondonBluePod) September 13, 2023
Going by his career so far, James is going to miss a chunk of every season through injury, and when he is fit can only handle 2 in every 3 games during a busy season – at best.
So it was essential to get a good understudy, who was able to come into the team right away, but could also be promised healthy game time. James has never started more than 25 games in a Premier League season.
Let’s hope that this easing of the demands on James raises his availability significantly over the next couple of seasons.
