Mauricio Pochettino insists Reece James was ‘DESPERATE’ to be part of upcoming England squad… as he rejects claims by Gareth Southgate that it was the Chelsea defender who chose to make himself unavailable

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Mauricio Pochettino insists Reece James is desperate to be part of the England squad and it was not his decision to make himself unavailable for Gareth Southgate’s latest one.

Southgate spoke to James ahead of his squad selection and intimated that the right-back had turned down a call-up to continue working his way back to full fitness.

But Pochettino insisted it was conversations between Chelsea and the FA that have led to James not being picked rather than the call being made by the Blues skipper.

Southgate warned Chelsea captain James has taken a risk ahead of Euro 2024 by opting not to join up with the Three Lions for the upcoming qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia.

James has recently returned from two months out with a hamstring injury, having been plagued by fitness problems for a number of seasons.

Mauricio Pochettino has rejected claims from Gareth Southgate which intimated Reece James had turned down a call-up to continue working his way back to full fitness

Pochettino insisted it was conversations between Chelsea and the FA that have led to James not being picked rather than the call being made by the Blues skipper

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And Pochettino said: ‘Never is it the decision of the player. It is about assessing because the medical staff, sport science, the coaching staff we always take decision.

‘Not the players because the players cannot assess themselves. They can sometimes feel something but he is desperate to go to the national team and I think yes it is good from the national team and with the communication with the club to take the best decision for the player, for the national team and for Chelsea also.

‘But not is it a decision of Reece. He is desperate to go, he wants to go but I think that always there are two parts.

‘The national team and the club take the best decision for him and after all his problems and now he starts to feel fit again.

‘I am happy he is going to be with us because it is two weeks to work with him again and for sure he will have the opportunity to join the national team in the future.’

Southgate warned Chelsea captain James has taken a risk ahead of Euro 2024 by opting not to join up with the Three Lions

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