Mauricio Pochettino stated in his pre-match press conference that Reece James will start again and so captain the team when the Premier League returns this weekend.

Chelsea fans will be hopeful that their team can take up just where they left off before the season was interrupted for yet another international break.

They won four points and scored eight goals in their two games before the break, defeating Tottenham and Manchester City.

Several players stood out in those games, with Cole Palmer and Raheem Sterling particularly impressive.

However, it is fair to say that James’ return to the starting lineup has been a huge lift for the Blues, and performances have improved as a result.

James will start against Newcastle

While Pochettino was careful not to reveal too much about who would play at St. James’ Park tomorrow, he did clarify that James would be among those starting when asked if he was ready to play 90 minutes.

“We’ll see [if he can play 90 minutes],” he remarked. He’s doing well; he’s at a high level. You now have one guy who will play.”

Pochettino has yet to put James through a 90-minute test since he returned from injury, with everyone hoping he does not sustain another injury.

This has allowed Malo Gusto to continue appearing off the bench following a run of starts for the duration of the season.

He was apparently injured prior to the start of the international break, but he has been photographed in training without any strapping on his knee, indicating that he is also back to full fitness.