I never played as much as I would have hoped under you, You didn’t believe in me and my ability, I was alwsys on the bench.”-‘I just hope we don’t sign or sell any players until we get a new manager in.’-Chelsea star has apologised to Mauricio Pochettino after his exit! 😲

Following his departure from Chelsea, Reece James penned a heartfelt note to Mauricio Pochettino, expressing gratitude and regret over his unavailability during the season. Despite a triumphant five-year run with Chelsea, Pochettino was not retained after an end-of-season review led the club’s management to seek a new direction.

James, hindered by a hamstring injury that required surgery in December, missed six starts under Pochettino. The Chelsea captain took to Instagram to thank Pochettino and apologize for his absence. “Thank you for everything, boss,” James wrote. “From the beginning, we clicked like a couple. I’m sorry I couldn’t play as much as I wanted under your leadership.”

James highlighted Pochettino’s faith in him, noting, “When many doubted me, you entrusted me with great responsibility.” He extended his gratitude to Pochettino’s coaching staff, specifically mentioning Jesus Perez, Toni Jimenez, Miguel D’Agostino, and Sebastiano Pochettino for their unseen but significant contributions. “I appreciate you all and wish you well going forward,” he added.

Reflecting on Chelsea’s performance, James acknowledged the club’s high aspirations. “Chelsea is a big team, and everyone wants to finish higher than sixth. However, considering we started the season in 13th and finished 12th, it’s a step forward,” James noted. He emphasized the importance of the players’ admiration and willingness to fight for their manager, which, he said, credits Pochettino’s leadership.

Djordje Petrovic, Chelsea’s goalkeeper, also shared his views on Pochettino in an interview with MailOnline. “Personally, I hold him and the entire coaching staff in high regard for giving me a chance and showing faith in me,” Petrovic remarked.

The collective sentiments from the players underscore the respect and appreciation they have for Pochettino and his team, despite the challenges faced during the season.