TNT forced to apologise because of Chelsea star Reece James mid-interview

TNT Sports were forced to apologise live on air to viewers on Thursday night following an X-rated interview with star Reece James. The 25-year-old watched from the stands as the Blues cruised into the final against Djurgarden.

Despite manager Enzo Maresca making 10 changes from , the hosts were never in trouble as they completed a 5-1 aggregate win. The only goal at Stamford Bridge came 38 minutes in when Kieran Dewsbury-Hall fired home, as the side set up a final with Real Betis. However, afterwards, it was the display of teenage midfielder Reggie Walsh, and not the ex-Leicester midfielder, who grabbed the headlines.

In the first leg, the 16-year-old was introduced as a late substitute. Last night, Maresca went a step forward and started the academy product, making him the club's youngest ever player to start in a European game.

Walsh rewarded the show of faith with an accomplished display in midfield. After playing the full 90 minutes, he was approached on the field afterwards by Chelsea's unused substitute , who appeared to offer words of praise to the England Under-17 international.

The display of Walsh was discussed with James after the game. TNT presenter Emma Dodds asked the club captain for his thoughts on the youngster's performance, and he didn't hold back with his assessment.

"To be fair, I've seen him in training lots, but training and games are different," he said. "This is the first time I've actually seen him play in a game, and I was like f***ing hell....oh, sorry about that."

Dodds jumped in with: "Oh, apologies for the bad language there," as pundits Joleon Lescott and Joe Cole struggled not to laugh. James was unperturbed, though, as he added: "Because I didn't realise how good he actually was. Training is training, and you can't judge too much on what you see there."

It remains to be seen whether Maresca will again use Walsh for the final in Poland on May 28. The previous record for Chelsea's youngest European starter was set by Shim Mheuka in the same competition earlier this season, who was 17 when he appeared against Astana.