James: Working hard to change this
02 APR 2023
Fine margins were highlighted by Reece James as he looked at how Chelsea had slipped to defeat at Stamford Bridge on Saturday in the first game after the international break.
The 23-year-old had recovered from the problem that meant he featured in only one of England’s two games prior to this weekend. He was selected in the back-three against Aston Villa but the defence was punctured twice without the team replying in a 2-0 defeat.
‘We had the chances to get a goal but we didn’t take our chances and we got punished,’ James observed. ‘It is very tough but we are working hard. It is just the small details that are not clicking at the moment and we have to go back to the drawing board and try to change this.’
Asked about the moment when Ben Chilwell had the ball in the net shortly before half-time but the goal was disallowed for a push, James had this to say:
‘When a team go 1-0 up and they are away from home, of course they are going to try to get every foul and decision going their way. Personally, I thought it was harsh but the referee is the referee.’
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Loftus-Cheek: No time to dwell
02 APR 2023
Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who began Saturday’s game against Aston Villa at right wing-back, emphasised the frustration in the camp following a first loss in five games but also that the focus is moving quickly on to Tuesday night and the visit by Liverpool.
A goal in each half consigned the Blues to defeat at Stamford Bridge this weekend and Loftus-Cheek reported on the words from Graham Potter after the game.
‘The gaffer in the dressing room straight away said that we have a lot of games this month, important ones that we need to be ready for and dwelling on this will certainly not help, especially with Liverpool coming up,’ said the 27-year-old.
‘So we need to put this behind us as quickly as possible, obviously analyse the game, but then move on and be ready for Liverpool.’
The figures from the Villa match show Chelsea had nearly 70 per cent of the possession, manufactured 27 attempts at goal to our opponents’ five and had two of what were classed as big chances to their one, but crucially the West Midlanders scored twice and kept a clean sheet.
‘Of course it is very, very frustrating,’ declared Loftus-Cheek. ‘In the dressing room we saw the stats and we completely dominated the game. The only difference was they took their chances and we didn’t.
‘The game grew on and we got more frustrated and I think we didn’t play the same. We started getting anxious to get a goal and we forced a lot of attacks.’
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