Roméo Lavia missed Chelsea’s last Club World Cup game because of a small muscle injury (Photo: Getty)

Enzo Maresca has provided an update on the fitness of Romeo Lavia and Reece James ahead of Chelsea’s Club World Cup semi-fina…

Roméo Lavia missed Chelsea’s last Club World Cup game because of a small muscle injury (Photo: Getty)

Enzo Maresca has provided an update on the fitness of Romeo Lavia and Reece James ahead of Chelsea’s Club World Cup semi-fina…

Reece James is ‘delighted’ that Chelsea saw off competition from Manchester United to secure the signing of in-demand striker Liam Delap.

Enzo Maresca’s side had made signing a new striker a priority for the start of the transfer window, and quickly earmarked Delap after his promising first season in the Premier League.

The Ipswich Town striker scored 12 goals in 37 league games, but was available for just £30million following his side’s relegation back to the Championship.

Chelsea moved quickly to sign the 22-year-old, seeing off interest from United who also held one-to-one talks with the England U21 international.

Delap spoke of his desire to win trophies as a key motivator for his move to Stamford Bridge, with James confident that the striker has what it takes to deliver the goods for his new club.

‘He’s had a great season at Ipswich and I’m very happy he’s going to be joining us for next season,’ James said ahead of England’s World Cup qualifier with Andorra.

‘He’s a great player and I’m delighted he’s with us.’

James, meanwhile, finds himself back in England’s squad for a second successive time under Thomas Tuchel as the full-back continues to put the worst of his injury woes behind him.

The Chelsea skipper has plenty of competition for the coveted right-back spot in the starting eleven, but believes his performances over recent months should speak for themselves.

‘For sure, I’m moving in the right direction. I finished off the season strong and I feel like I’m in a good place,’ he added. ‘It’s something I’m used to – playing and competing with world-class players.

‘They (Trent Alexander-Arnold and Kyle Walker) are two phenomenal players in my position so of course it’s going to be tough but we all have different capabilities and strengths, so it’s whichever the manager wants to decide to play.’

Tuchel reacts to Postecoglou’s Spurs sacking

Tuchel, meanwhile, expressed his sympathies with recently sacked Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou.

It was only last month that Postecoglou carried Spurs to Europa League glory, but Daniel Levy has now chosen to part ways with the Australian, who paid the price for a disastrous league campaign which saw his side lose 22 of their 38 games.

‘It just shows you that it is not only about titles, you can survive seasons without titles if your connection, the support and the belief and the trust between the coach and the club is strong then you can overcome seasons without titles,’ Tuchel said.

‘If there is slight disbelief, if there are concerns, if the trust is not there anymore, obviously then it is sometimes not even enough to win a trophy after so many years.

‘I have biggest respect for him. He’s a huge character, he brought a trophy, he said he will deliver in the second year and he did.

‘But this is part of the job, we are responsible for the results and we are responsible for the development of the team so, whether we like it or not, sometimes it is us who has to take the full responsibility.’

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Brutal from the Chelsea head coach.

Brutal from the Chelsea head coach.

Enzo Maresca was in a bullish mood after victory at Nottingham Forest.

He now has a number of attacking options!

Ian Wright has accused Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca of making an ‘unacceptable’ decision at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues conclude the 2024-25 campaign with three crucial games as they look to qualify for the Champions League and win the Europa Conference League.

Chelsea, currently sitting fifth in the final Champions League spot, face Manchester United on Friday night before a Premier League finale against top-five rivals Nottingham Forest.

Maresca then takes his side to Poland on May 28 for Chelsea’s Europa Conference League final against Spanish side Real Betis.

Chelsea suffered a disappointing and potentially damaging defeat to Newcastle United last weekend and Wright said playing Moises Caicedo at right-back against the Magpies was ‘crazy’.

It was not the first time central midfielder Caicedo has slotted in at right-back, with the £100m signing asked to step into midfield when Chelsea are on the ball.

Using inverted, flexible full-backs is not uncommon in the Premier League but Wright has described Chelsea’s tactic as ‘unacceptable’ and ‘very worrying’.

England right-back Reece James was only named on Chelsea’s bench at St James’ Park before being introduced at half time.

‘It is crazy when you look at who Enzo Maresca has got on the bench and he’s still doing that [playing Caicedo at right-back],’ Wright said on The Kelly & Wrighty Show.

‘Teams are going to attack him all the time. Whatever he’s saying about getting into midfield and controlling it, you’ve got to get control of the game.

‘It all comes down to the manager. Unless something has happened with Reece James and Malo Gusto, I don’t know what’s happened.

‘That, for me, is unacceptable… He’s making decisions that are very worrying, especially in that particular incident.’

The finger of blame was pointed at Caicedo for Newcastle’s 2nd-minute opener against Chelsea.

‘He definitely switched off. Newcastle started so quickly, perfect start for them,’ former England striker Peter Crouch told TNT Sports.

‘Initially he does really well, Caicedo stays with Anthony Gordon and then they just get themselves in a right mess here.

‘Sandro Tonali’s pressing is unbelievable, his physicality, he’s always on the front foot. And then Caicedo just switches off.’

Ex-Chelsea winger Pat Nevin added on BBC Radio 5 Live: ‘Last week I was surprised that Caicedo didn’t get sent off with the challenges he was putting in.

‘So what do Newcastle do? First minute they put the ball in behind him to Anthony Gordon and that eventually led to the goal.

‘When he is back there he just seems rash and out of position. He is Chelsea’s player of the year this season but he is out of position and Anthony Gordon is already giving him a tough time.’

James struggled with injury problems earlier in the season but has featured heavily in the second-half of the campaign and was believed to be fit to start against Newcastle.

Discussing James’ intriguing situation at Stamford Bridge, ex-Tottenham manager Tim Sherwood said: ‘Reece James is Maresca’s club captain. Something has obviously happened.

‘I know he’s had his injury problems, but he’s ready now, he’s been training for months, he’s had opportunities to play.

‘I can’t understand some of the decisions Maresca has made regarding the Conference League. Resting players in the Premier League to play weakened opposition, with all due respect.

‘He’s been resting some players in the Premier League. If he doesn’t finish in the Champions League it’s a failure, a total failure.’

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‘First time I have seen him play.’

The Chelsea defender limped off after coming on at half-time at Craven Cottage.

The Chelsea defender limped off after coming on at half-time at Craven Cottage.

The west London derby is back!

The west London derby is back!

Some shocking comments from the skipper.