One of Mauricio Pochettino's biggest feats at Stamford Bridge has been embracing James when he plays yet coping when he doesn't
England adamant they are not a one-man team but form without Ben Stokes suggests otherwiseOne of Mauricio Pochettino’s biggest feats at Stamford Bridge has been embracing James when he plays yet coping when he doesn’tHaving picked up a hamstring injury on the first day of the season, James was initially declared fit to faceHe was considered a major doubt to face the Gunners this weekend, before rejoining the group on Wednesday having made positive progress in his recovery.
Levi Colwill, Malo Gusto and Chilwell all have Premier League assists this season, but as do Palmer, Sterling and Conor Gallagher. Chelsea’s wide defenders still play a vital role in the creative process, but the burden on them is much lighter.Yet by basing his own system around a four-man defence and prioritising the tactical role rather than the player which fills it, Pochettino has finally broken Chelsea’s reliance on players whose fitness is unreliable.
Protecting him from his desperation to play is half the challenge here, and protecting him from the ever-increasing schedule is the other. If he’s available to start even half the 50-plus games Chelsea have to play every season , ideally protected for the important ones, is that so untenable? If the pressure stemming from the expectation he should play every possible minute were removed, would everyone not be happier with the eventual outcome?
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