10 July 2023 , 17:23
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Reece James wants to become Chelsea’s new captain - despite interest from Real Madrid.
The England full-back’s father Nigel has revealed the fans favourite wants to skipper ‘his club’ under new boss Mauricio Pochettino. The Blues are understood to have enjoyed a sharp upturn in morale since the former Spurs boss’s arrival.
Pochettino has had an intense first week of training with an emphasis on team building following his work to move a number of players out. James’s dad Nigel dismissed interest from Madrid and admitted his son would love to succeed Cesar Azpilicueta who has left for Atletico Madrid.
Speaking to The Beautiful Game podcast, Nigel said: “Reece is a top player so I’m sure most clubs would want to sign him but right now I don’t see anything changing. He is a Chelsea player and unless Chelsea wants to sell him, it’s like anything.
“If a club does not want to work with you anymore and for some reason they want to get rid of you then you go. If they want you … he’s been there since six years of age, his ambition is to wear the armband and captain the side and it broke his heart the season we have had just gone.”
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A dysfunctional Chelsea missed out on the top four and the European places altogether last season, finishing 12th under Frank Lampard. Nigel added: “Coming off the pitch, losing games, it really hurt him.
“I’m sure it hurt a lot of players. I can’t speak for the other players. All I can speak for is knowing how painful it was for my son to feel his club …”
Azpilicueta bid an emotional farewell to Chelsea last week, having spent 11 years at Stamford Bridge. “It is difficult to express with words what I feel. It has been incredible, and just, thank you to everyone, because it couldn't happen without the help of a lot of people,” he said.
“What a journey. Those moments that I take with me will last forever. This is my home and I hope to see everybody here back one day. The love they have showed me every single time is something I'm really proud of. Hopefully we can keep this relationship forever.
“I'm leaving Chelsea after 11 years. I could not imagine myself here today, but thank you very much. I've been really proud of defending this badge on and off the pitch. It has been my life here. So many amazing memories here, not only on the pitch, but off the pitch as well.”