The midfielder is expected to leave Stamford Bridge this summer (Pictures: Sky Sports / Getty)
Reece James says he will be ‘sad’ to see Mason Mount leave Chelsea this summer, while he is hopeful Mauricio Pochettino can turn the club’s fortunes around.
The west Londoners endured a miserable campaign in which they recorded their worst finish (12th) and lowest points tally (44) in Premier League history.
After going through four different coaches – Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter, Bruno Saltor and Frank Lampard – Chelsea’s hierarchy will be hoping Pochettino can bring some stability back to Stamford Bridge.
But the Argentine faces a massive summer rebuild, particularly in midfield, with Mount and Mateo Kovacic – whose contracts expire in 2024 – likely to be sold and N’Golo Kante’s contract expiring at the end of the month.
Manchester United are believed to have already agreed personal terms with Mount and Chelsea are resigned to losing a player who has been at the club since 2005.
James came though the academy with Mount and has conceded it would be a big blow to lose the midfielder if he does decide to swap Stamford Bridge for Old Trafford this month.
Asked if he would be upset to see United-linked Mount leave, James told Sky Sports on Sunday: ‘Yeah, of course. If he goes everyone will be sad to see him go.’
Mount looks increasingly likely to join Manchester United (Picture: Getty)
James – who is in Barcelona for the Spanish Grand Prix – endured a very difficult, injury-ravaged campaign which saw him miss the World Cup.
In total, he made just 16 appearances in the Premier League but he is hopeful things will start to improve – both personally and for the club – once Pochettino has taken over.
Asked if he is excited to work under the former Spurs manager, James replied: ‘Yeah, everyone is saying he’s a great manager.
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‘Hopefully next season we find our feet early and we’re a good, strong side.
‘It’s been a tough year. We’ve had lots of injuries and we’re not going to finish in the best position. Hopefully next year is better.’
Although Chelsea’s enormous summer exodus already appears to be well underway, the club are also pushing ahead with new additions and are believed to have secured a £52million deal for Sporting Lisbon defensive midfielder Manuel Ugarte.
MORE : Manuel Ugarte picks Chelsea over PSG as Blues agree to pay over release clause
MORE : Manchester United want to include Harry Maguire as part of offer to Chelsea for Mason Mount
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The midfielder is expected to leave Stamford Bridge this summer.