Chelsea have 'big' problem after Reece James details emerge - pundit

Chelsea will struggle to offload players on big wages this summer.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, former West Ham striker Frank McAvennie said some of the squad aren't good enough to make the same money if they quit Stamford Bridge and that could put them off a move.

As relayed by journalist Nizaar Kinsella (25 July), Reece James said last season "took its toll on him" and pointed to players who didn't want to be at the club as a problem.

The Blues enjoyed massive spending last season following the club's takeover by Todd Boehly's consortium but ended up with a surplus of playing staff.

This summer, the Londoners have already lost Mason Mount and Kai Havertz who joined Man United and Arsenal respectively.

Mateo Kovacic, Christian Pulisic, N'Golo Kane, captain Cesar Azpilicueta and six other first team stars have also moved on to make way for new arrivals.

When asked how big of a problem having unhappy players is, McAvennie told Football Insider: ""I think [Graham] Potter was a good manager but having to speak to two dressing rooms is just not right.

"I think people want to play for [Mauricio] Pochettino, they will run through walls for him. For me it did not matter who the manager was you go out onto the pitch and you give everything.

"There are a lot of players there that want away and I think Pochettino will do his best to get them away. Unfortunately some of the boys that want to leave are not good enough to get a decent move.

"They took the money to go to Chelsea and they can't get the same elsewhere because they are not good enough. That is the biggest problem, these players do not want to move on because they are on big wages at Chelsea."

In other news, defender close to £45m Chelsea move as medical booked.