Pundit Garth Crooks has claimed he has been left stunned at what he has just seen from Chelsea captain Reece James.

He told BBC Sport that he doesn’t think he has seen anything like the two unnecessary bookings picked up by the 23-year-old that saw him sent off against Newcastle.

James was one of the Chelsea players in particular who endured a rough afternoon in the North-East as the good feeling around the Blues evaporated extremely quickly.

The Englishman was making his third league start in a row, with many believing this could be the start of his more permanent return from injuries.

However, he is now set for a match on the sidelines following his red card, where he will be joined by Marc Cucurella after he picked up his fifth yellow card of the season.

Crooks has claimed that what he saw from the club captain left him absolutely stunned.

James criticised by Crooks

He said: “I don’t think I’ve seen anything quite like it: Reece James sent off for two of the most pathetic and unnecessary bookings you will ever see, Thiago Silva playing as though his head was somewhere else and Chelsea sent packing, having had four goals put past them.

“One of those goals was scored by Jamaal Lascelles who has waited patiently to not just get back into this Newcastle side but is now featuring as one of their main contributors.

“Against Bournemouth, just before the international break, some Newcastle fans were questioning the team’s commitment amid a catalogue of injuries. I wonder what they are saying this week?”

Mauricio Pochettino will now likely be looking to his other options to play right-back. He will probably hope to start Malo Gusto, although he did not make the squad at the weekend.