Reece James admits the race row that threatens to disrupt the beginning of Chelsea’s season is a “actually tough state of affairs” however hopes face-to-face talks will assist them “transfer ahead”.
Enzo Fernandez’s posting of a video on social media shortly after Argentina’s Copa America win over Colombia on July 14 ignited the problem because it questioned the heritage of France’s black and mixed-race gamers.
And though he apologised, each FIFA and Chelsea have launched investigations, the previous on the again of a grievance from the French Soccer Federation.
The 23-year-old can have some bridges to rebuild within the Stamford Bridge dressing room as effectively together with his Chelsea team-mate Wesley Fofana describing the video as “uninhibited racism”, whereas it has additionally been reported the membership’s different French gamers are equally sad.
It’s an undesirable drawback for brand new boss Enzo Maresca and captain James is conscious there may very well be stress when Fernandez joins up with the squad on Monday on their pre-season tour of america.
He advised ESPN: “In fact, there’s at all times the issue the place it doesn’t sit proper with individuals when there may very well be an issue.
“However till the day comes the place everybody’s collectively and in a room collectively, I don’t know, however I hope issues could be resolved easily and we will transfer ahead with the season.
“It’s a very tough state of affairs. There’s no room for racism or discrimination in soccer. I believe he shortly put his hand up and acknowledged he’d carried out fallacious and apologised to his team-mates, the membership and the remainder of the folks that have been offended. I believe that was in all probability the perfect he may have carried out in that state of affairs.
“I spoke to him a bit, but it surely was onerous as a result of we have been on completely different time zones. [It was] only a common chat actually. His views on what occurred and him making an attempt to elucidate his state of affairs and the way issues occurred.”
Response from @ReeceJames. 💪#BluesInTheUSA pic.twitter.com/3tRGjskfFA
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 25, 2024
James has been hampered by damage issues over the previous two seasons however says he’s now “free once more” and looking out ahead to the brand new marketing campaign.
He added: “There have been instances earlier than the place I might assume, ‘Can I do that? Can I do this?’ When you’ve got that doubt, you don’t really feel full confidence. Most just lately, I’ve positively felt like that worry’s gone and I be at liberty once more.”
Like James, Fofana has struggled with damage and missed the entire of the 2023-24 season after rupturing his cruciate ligament final summer season.
He and Romeo Lavia – who made only one look final season as a consequence of ankle and hamstring issues – returned for Chelsea’s first pre-season recreation in opposition to Wrexham and Maresca was delighted to have them again.
He advised the membership’s official web site: “Each of them are crucial. On this second it is vitally necessary for them to get minutes and never lose any coaching classes.
“I’m particularly completely satisfied for them as a result of for one 12 months with none minutes, it’s tough for them mentally so they should now increase their vitality and 45 minutes will assist each of them.
“Hopefully we will quickly have them each 100 per cent match they usually can begin to play 90 minutes.”
