"Maybe the water polo team?" Thomas Tuchel questions why injured Chelsea star was called up to the England squad

Reece James injured against Manchester City

After being taken to Euro 2020 but making just a single appearance, Reece James returned to Chelsea where he has made four appearances in the Premier League to date, returning one goal and three assists from the right-hand side.

However, midway through the first half of his side’s tie with Manchester City, his bright start to the season was bought to an abrupt end as he was forced off the pitch through injury.

🔄 Early sub for Chelsea.

Reece James has gone off injured, so on comes Thiago Silva.

Looks like Azpilicueta has gone to right-back.

Chelsea 0-0 Man City

Updates ⤵️ #CHEMCI #bbcfootball

— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) September 25, 2021

Chelsea went on to lose the game 1-0, and James has not featured in the week since his injury.

James ruled out of International break fixtures

Despite his injury, Reece James was called up to Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Hungary, due to take place in the next week.

Gareth Southgate suggested that he was under the impression that James, as well as fellow Chelsea man Mason Mount, would be fit for the qualifiers, saying:

“Clearly they’re still to appear for their clubs so there is an element of the unknown with that but our understanding is that Mason and Reece have a good chance for the weekend [vs Southampton]. We’ll have to track that,” 

“We don’t play until next Saturday so there is a bit of time and we will know more as the week progresses in all of those situations.”

However, Tuchel was quick to pour cold water on this idea, confirming that Reece James would be unable to represent his country this international break.

Thomas Tuchel says Reece James will not be able to represent England next week given the defender is currently “training in the pool”.

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) October 1, 2021

The Chelsea boss joked:

“When I saw it, I thought maybe Reece goes with the water polo team for England as right now he trains in the pool.”

“I was a bit surprised, I understand he was selected for the [England] football team but this will not happen. My last information is he will not go, it can only be a misunderstanding.

Will Southgate call up a replacement ahead of the crucial games?

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