Mauricio Pochettino hails Reece James’ leadership and defends captain after ban

Mauricio Pochettino defended Chelsea captain Reece James (Adam Davy/PA)

Mauricio Pochettino says Reece James’ “leadership” is why he handed him the Chelsea captaincy and defended the full-back after he picked up a suspension during his side’s 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa last month.

James, who did not play the match through injury, was suspended for Chelsea’s win over Burnley for aiming “abusive words” at a match official in the tunnel during the clash at Stamford Bridge and was ordered to pay a £90,000 fine.

But Pochettino has seen James’ leadership attributes and believes his actions were a mistake fuelled by frustration after he sustained a hamstring injury in August.

“Why did I choose him as captain? Because of his personality, his leadership, the respect he has from the club and his team-mates and he has my full respect also,” Pochettino said.

“Chelsea is in his DNA and when you see the squad he is not only for the present, he is for the future and in this moment Chelsea need someone like that.

“I think he was upset with the situation. He was so committed with this project from the beginning, he felt really bad because he could not help the team.

“He made a mistake but he’s young and he can make mistakes. He was really sorry about that situation and I don’t think it will be repeated.

“Even myself at Burnley I got a yellow card at half-time and I’m 51 years old; sometimes a young guy can make a mistake, he was frustrated because he could not help the team.”

Reece James has not played since Chelsea’s opening day 1-1 draw with Liverpool at Stamford Bridge (Adam Davy/PA)

Pochettino said that James’ fitness “will be assessed” ahead of Saturday’s clash against Arsenal at Stamford Bridge, quashing reports the full-back