Reece James is ‘delighted’ that Chelsea saw off competition from Manchester United to secure the signing of in-demand striker Liam Delap.
Enzo Maresca’s side had made signing a new striker a priority for the start of the transfer window, and quickly earmarked Delap after his promising first season in the Premier League.
The Ipswich Town striker scored 12 goals in 37 league games, but was available for just £30million following his side’s relegation back to the Championship.
Chelsea moved quickly to sign the 22-year-old, seeing off interest from United who also held one-to-one talks with the England U21 international.
Delap spoke of his desire to win trophies as a key motivator for his move to Stamford Bridge, with James confident that the striker has what it takes to deliver the goods for his new club.
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‘He’s had a great season at Ipswich and I’m very happy he’s going to be joining us for next season,’ James said ahead of England’s World Cup qualifier with Andorra.
‘He’s a great player and I’m delighted he’s with us.’
James, meanwhile, finds himself back in England’s squad for a second successive time under Thomas Tuchel as the full-back continues to put the worst of his injury woes behind him.
The Chelsea skipper has plenty of competition for the coveted right-back spot in the starting eleven, but believes his performances over recent months should speak for themselves.
‘For sure, I’m moving in the right direction. I finished off the season strong and I feel like I’m in a good place,’ he added. ‘It’s something I’m used to – playing and competing with world-class players.
‘They (Trent Alexander-Arnold and Kyle Walker) are two phenomenal players in my position so of course it’s going to be tough but we all have different capabilities and strengths, so it’s whichever the manager wants to decide to play.’
Tuchel reacts to Postecoglou’s Spurs sacking
Tuchel, meanwhile, expressed his sympathies with recently sacked Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou.
It was only last month that Postecoglou carried Spurs to Europa League glory, but Daniel Levy has now chosen to part ways with the Australian, who paid the price for a disastrous league campaign which saw his side lose 22 of their 38 games.
‘It just shows you that it is not only about titles, you can survive seasons without titles if your connection, the support and the belief and the trust between the coach and the club is strong then you can overcome seasons without titles,’ Tuchel said.
‘If there is slight disbelief, if there are concerns, if the trust is not there anymore, obviously then it is sometimes not even enough to win a trophy after so many years.
‘I have biggest respect for him. He’s a huge character, he brought a trophy, he said he will deliver in the second year and he did.
‘But this is part of the job, we are responsible for the results and we are responsible for the development of the team so, whether we like it or not, sometimes it is us who has to take the full responsibility.’
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