Let’s see some of the news around the Chelsea football club.
Graham Potter: Reece James is in a good place after missing World Cup
After the “difficult period” of missing the World Cup, Reece James is in a “good place,” according to his manager Graham Potter.
James could not make England’s tournament roster due to a knee ailment. The 23-year-old is now fit to play for Chelsea against Bournemouth on Tuesday.
There was a World Cup, which happens every four years. Therefore, it cannot be easy to gain perspective while you’re young, according to Potter.
“You want to play because you’re young. That makes perfect sense. To deal with it is absolutely brutal. The same is true for Reece, Ben Chilwell (left back for England), and N’Golo Kante (midfielder for France).”
“You can try to assist them and offer them some perspective, but ultimately, they, their families, and others close to them must take the initiative.”
On October 11, James suffered a knee injury against AC Milan and expressed his “devastation” at not being selected for the England team.
“He seems to be in a good frame of mind right now, in my opinion. He is a good teammate, has trained with us, and is currently training well.” Potter said.
Graham Potter on Reece James:
"I have to say he is in a good mood, he is in a good place. He has trained with us, is training well and is a good teammate. He has dealt with it well. There is not too much you can say."
[via @BBCSport]
— Absolute Chelsea (@AbsoluteChelsea) December 26, 2022
“It was a difficult time for him. For all of the players, it was a difficult time. You have to believe there is an impact there on some level. They are merely people.”
Despite the absences of Kante, Chilwell, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, and Wesley Fofana, Potter claimed that James had been “training for a few weeks.”
The Chelsea manager stated, “For him [James], the main thing is that he is playing football – the World Cup is over now and he can concentrate on playing football.”
Chelsea wants Joao Felix on loan
When the January transfer market opens, Chelsea is looking into temporarily signing Atletico Madrid attacker Joao Felix.
According to The Telegraph, Chelsea is open to a loan agreement with an option or obligation to buy during the summer transfer window depending on Atletico’s inclination.
Felix is set leave his present employers shortly because he has had trouble getting consistent playing time this season. Fortunately, he has no shortage of suitors, particularly among Europe’s best.
Aston Villa and Newcastle United want to sign the Portugal international, in addition to Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal, and Paris Saint-Germain.
Felix can play practically everywhere in the frontline, which will appeal greatly to Graham Potter as the Chelsea manager looks to reenergize an uncoordinated assault that has only produced 17 Premier League goals in 14 games.
Chelsea are looking at a deal for Atletico Madrid Joao Felix on loan this January! ?
Via @TelegraphSport pic.twitter.com/3kWUn7iaCv
— SPORTbible (@sportbible) December 26, 2022
Chelsea earmarks two positions that need strengthening in January
Chelsea has chosen to bolster its centre-back and striker positions in the next January transfer window.
According to Simon Phillips of The Athletic, Chelsea has decided to strengthen the centre-back and striker department with signings in the January transfer window.
The article also claims that the club had planned to sign a striker next month even before Armando Broja suffered the injury that would end his season during the friendly match against Aston Villa.
A left-footed centre defender who can play on the left side of the three-person central defence is also a priority for the team to sign. They and Josko Gvardiol agreed on personal terms in the summer and intended to continue talking in January, but the Croatian is proving too expensive.
The Blues are also moving close to signing AS Monaco defender Benoit Badiashile, who has a similar resume to Josko Gvardiol, as a replacement.
