“If Pochettino don’t play me against against Totheham that automatically implies I am not needed in the team anymore and I have to pack my bags and leave to Saudi – £30 Million Chelsea Star has told the media if he doesn’t play today his leaving to Saudi Arabia

Reece James, Chelsea’s captain, marked his return to the starting lineup, providing a much-needed boost to the team. James had been absent from the starting XI since the season’s opening day due to a hamstring injury. His participation in the Carabao Cup match helped raise spirits in preparation for the upcoming match against Tottenham.

Benoit Badiashile, also returning from a hamstring injury, scored the opening goal, and Raheem Sterling secured the victory, but it was James’s return to the lineup that held the most significance.

While James is still regaining full fitness and playing cautiously, he brings a significant impact to Chelsea, offering an attacking threat from the right side. Nevertheless, Tottenham’s manager, Mauricio Pochettino, faces a difficult decision on whether to start the 23-year-old against his former club.

Pochettino is aware of the risks associated with rushing James back too soon, as it could lead to further injury setbacks for one of his key players. In the Carabao Cup match, James was substituted early in the second half after he began to feel fatigued, underlining the need for careful management during his return.

Initiating James against high-flying Spurs, in a match expected to be intense, would represent a significant escalation in terms of match intensity. Pochettino has acknowledged the temptation to play James for the full 90 minutes but emphasized the importance of gradual reintegration to prevent potential injuries.

Chelsea is actively addressing James’s recurring hamstring issues without the need for surgery. While a victory against a Championship side doesn’t guarantee a complete turnaround for Chelsea, they are gaining momentum before a challenging five-game stretch in the Premier League.