Chelsea suffer fresh blow as Reece James’ return gets postponed

Chelsea fan favourite, Reece James will be a part of the absentees at the club for an extended time. The right-back suffered a hamstring injury following the pre-season and is still to feature in the official games. James was expected to return by the end of September but according to recent reports, his return has been delayed indefinitely for now. The injury has not healed as quickly as anticipated and Chelsea fans will have to wait longer for their captain to return.

Reece James has been a constant victim of hamstring issues since 2021. After the one in December 2023, the England international opted for surgery. The initial results following the treatment were positive and inspiring. Nonetheless, Enzo Maresca will have to deal with his absence for a prolonged period this campaign. Malo Gusto and Axel Disasi are expected to battle it out for the right fullback berth until Reece James remains on the sideline.

The news of Reece James remaining injured for a further period is a piece of horrible news for Chelsea supporters. At his best, the 24-year-old is amongst the best in the world in his position. Reece James’ profile makes him one of the most complete full-backs on the planet, with his reliable defensive prowess and regular attacking threat. The former Wigan man is also a danger from set-pieces. Sadly, his talents also come with his unfortunate history of injuries, preventing him from operating at his best.

The miserable injury record of Reece James

Reece James joined the senior squad of Chelsea in 2019 and quickly became an indispensable part of the squad. Multiple coaches have taken over the duties at Stamford Bridge since then and all have trusted James to be the owner of the right flank. Nonetheless, his injury woes have now led to his role start depleting at the club. Since the 2019/20 season, James has missed a staggering 124 matches, with the knee and hamstring being the most vulnerable areas for him.

Understandably, his playstyle has also taken a hit with him reducing agility and sharpness. The Chelsea medical staff will take no risks given his fitness record and are prepared to wait to have the captain back at 100% fitness. Reece James has also lost out on squad places at the 2022 FIFA World Cup and 2024 UEFA Euros for England owing to his injuries. At 24 years old, James still has time on his side to redeem himself both at the club and international level.