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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>James benched for Conference League final</li><li>Brought on at half-time as Chelsea fought back</li><li>Was left gutted after being told of bench role</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

'It is devastating!' - Reece James admits he was hurt by Enzo Maresca's decision to drop him for Chelsea's Conference League final victory over Real Betis

FIFA Club World Cup

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<p>Enzo Maresca named the Blues captain on the bench for the start of the clash in Poland but substituted him on for the second-half after a miserable performance from Malo Gusto at right-back.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>James' introduction coincided with <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/chelsea-player-ratings-vs-real-betis-conference-league-final-cole-palmer-enzo-fernandez/blte9a7584f8b417cd0" target="_blank">Chelsea's second-half revival as Cole Palmer set up Enzo Fernandez and Nicolas Jackson</a> to put them in the lead before Jadon Sancho and Moises Caicedo rounded off a 4-1 win. </p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>James admitted he was gutted to be left out, but overcame the disappointment, telling <a href="https://x.com/footballontnt/status/1927834849714270550" target="_blank"><em>TNT Sports</em></a>: "Of course it is devastating to know you are not starting in a final. I want to play every game but it was the manager's decision. Once he made the decision, I had to move on and accept it and be ready when I was needed."</p>

WHAT JAMES SAID

<p>After celebrating their trophy success, the Stamford Bridge club will soon start preparing for the Club World Cup, which kicks off in the middle of June.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA?

'It is devastating!' - Reece James admits he was hurt by Enzo Maresca's decision to drop him for Chelsea's Conference League final victory over Real Betis | Goal.com

Reece James admits he was &apos;devastated&apos; by the news he would not be in Chelsea&apos;s starting XI for the Conference League final against Real Betis.

&apos;It is devastating!&apos; - Reece James admits he was hurt by Enzo Maresca&apos;s decision to drop him for Chelsea&apos;s Conference League final victory over Real Betis

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