THAT'S MAUR LIKE IT

Blues buzzing again

-  SIMON BIRD

REECE JAMES feels the energy is returning to Chelsea, after the club’s worst season in almost 30 years.

The England right-back says some of his team-mates didn’t want to be at Stamford Bridge, and losing so much – 22 times in all competitions – wrecked morale.

New boss Mauricio Pochettino has had a clear-out this summer, axing 12 first-team players so far with three more poised to leave including Romelu Lukaku.

James has given an upbeat assessment of pre-season under Pochettino. He says they are on a mission again and he wants to be in the running to be the new club skipper after Cesar Azpilicueta’s departure.

He is fit again after sickness last week prevented his participation in Chelsea’s Premier League Summer Series game against Brighton.