By Frank McAvennie

28th Sep, 2023 | 2:39pm

Pundit shares Reece James 'behind-the-scenes' Chelsea claim after confirmed news

Reece James is “frustrated” with the Chelsea performances which caused him to lash out at the referee.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, former West Ham striker understands how James is feeling but insisted he needed to keep himself in check.

The 23-year-old has been absent since the first game of the season with a hamstring injury and was once again watching from the sidelines in the 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa last weekend (24 September).

As relayed by the FA (27 September), the defender has been charged with a breach of FA rule E3 and is alleged to have used improper or insulting words and behaviour towards a match official in the tunnel.

McAvennie insisted it was foolish for the England international to react in such a way towards a match official.

“You can’t do it,” he told Football Insider.

“I get the frustration from players because I experienced it with referees but you can’t say anything to anyone nowadays.

“You can’t even shout to somebody in the crowd or it feels like you get charged for it. You turn your back and say it, you do it behind the scenes you do not do it right in front of them.

“It is probably built up frustration with all the chances they are missing.“

The Blues are currently 14th in the Premier League table with one win and three losses from their first six games of the 2023-24 campaign.

In other news, Kieran Maguire reveals big issue in Chelsea stadium development plans.