Mauricio Pochettino has labelled Reece James’ red card during Chelsea’s 2-1 win over Brighton on Wednesday as ‘disappointing’ and ‘painful’.
The Chelsea captain kicked out at Brighton star Joao Pedro and was sent off after a VAR check with just two minutes of normal time left.
James had only been on for 17 minutes but his red card for violent conduct means he will be suspended for four games due to it being his second offence.
‘It’s difficult to give my opinion because I didn’t have time to see the action,’ Pochettino said after Chelsea’s win at the Amex.
‘Maybe it’s the frustration of him. But, yes, painful. Painful because it was a fantastic night of football and he’s our captain and a really important player.
‘I’m disappointed because now he’s going to miss the next game and maybe a few games in next season.’
Meanwhile, Pochettino snapped at a journalist when asked if a sixth-placed finish in the Premier League would be a success.
‘I don’t know,’ Pochettino added. ‘We have been all the season talking but it looks like my words are not important and no one cares.
‘People only care about rumours and things like this. It’s not important, the most important thing is winning games for me. It has been tough with all the circumstances.’
Pochettino has also ruled Mykhailo Mudryk out of Chelsea’s final game of the season, which comes at Stamford Bridge against AFC Bournemouth on Sunday.
‘No, he is not okay, we are checking,’ the Argentine said.
‘He was a little bit dizzy but we used the concussion substitution and the rule is seven days so he is not going to be available for the next game but I hope it is nothing wrong.’
Mudryk recently warned the club’s fans over their ‘expectations’ for him in the upcoming 2024-25 campaign.
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