Chelsea have chance to offload their injury-prone defender for £35m

Chelsea could offload their injury prone defender to Real Madrid for £35m, but will Mauricio Pochettino be inclined to do that?

Chelsea host Arsenal tonight in the Premier League, but there isn’t only action on the pitch. Indeed, Chelsea have been presented a chance to sell one of their injury-prone players, should new manager Mauricio Pochettino be inclined to take the offer.

Chelsea could sell Reece James to Real Madrid for £35m

According to a report from Estadio Deportivo (via 90min), Real Madrid remain interested in signing Reece James of Chelsea. However, Los Blancos will set their budget to spend on the England international at £35m.

In my opinion, this is a low-ball. Chelsea would be right should they wish not to accept this. Although he’s hardly proven it given his poor injury record, Reece James is one of the best full-backs in the world when he is fit. Ageing at 23 years old as well, I would say that James only has time to develop so £35m is far below his valuation.

Understandably, Pochettino may be frustrated with James’ poor injury record. However, should he wish to sell the full-back, there will be other suitors out there that would be close to his real valuation.

As the Blues host Arsenal this evening, it doesn’t look likely that Reece James will play in that match. While Pochettino has said that his return is near, it’s unlikely that we’ll see him in the starting eleven today if messages are read correctly.

It really is a shame that James is injured all the time. He was made captain of Chelsea for a reason and that’s because he provides so much to the team, both from an attacking and defensive viewpoint. Hopefully, he’ll get a good run of fitness upon his return.

Click here for an important update on Thiago Silva’s future.

Do you think Mauricio Pochettino will sell Reece James to Real Madrid?