Reece James is not fit enough for international duty - Tuchel

Chelsea manager Thomas Tüchel believes Reece James is not physically fit enough yet to go away on international duty with the England squad.

The 22-year-old full-back has endured a rough run with injuries after tearing his hamstring against Brighton late in December, briefly returning in the first week of March before getting sidelined once again. James is otherwise enjoying a great season, contributing five goals and six assists in 17 Premier League appearances.

England friendlies

England manager Gareth Southgate turned heads when he named James in the squad for upcoming friendlies against Switzerland and Ivory Coast, but Tüchel was firm when asked for his thoughts.

"[Technical and Performance Adviser] Petr Cech will have this chat because, of course, the recommendation is that [James] does not go [on international duty]," he said following Chelsea's 2-0 FA Cup win against Middlesbrough. He is still in individual training, otherwise, we would have brought him to Lille and we would have brought him here for sure. There is no doubt about it. He is still in individual training, he needs one more week of rehabilitation and I think we can provide this much better – it is not the job of the national team to do this."

Chelsea's next league game is against Brentford on 2 April, before they host Real Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League quarter finals a few days later.