Reece James has suffered yet another setback in his career, marking the unfortunate milestone of his 10th hamstring injury. The Chelsea captain had just signed a new six-year contract with the club, a fresh commitment that fans hoped would signify a new chapter for the talented right-back. However, the injury comes at a particularly challenging moment for both him and the team.
At just 26 years old, James has been a key player for Chelsea, demonstrating consistent performance over the past months. He had played in six of the last seven matches, maintaining a relatively injury-free status this season, which had many optimistic about his fitness moving forward. Last week, after committing to Chelsea for six more years, he expressed his thoughts on overcoming prior challenges. “I had to come through a lot, two or three years of struggles and setbacks,” he remarked. “I’m in a really good place at the moment. My body is feeling good, I’m playing on a regular basis, two or three games a week.”
Yet, his latest hamstring issue, reported by head coach Liam Rosenior, is a significant blow for Chelsea. “Reece felt something in his hamstring against Newcastle,” Rosenior stated on Monday. “Really frustrating and disappointing one for us.” The team, currently positioned sixth in the Premier League, has experienced a dip in form, winning only one of their last five games. With a daunting Champions League encounter against Paris Saint-Germain looming—following a 5-2 deficit from the first leg—James’ absence could be incredibly costly.
Rosenior acknowledged the importance of James to the squad, not just as a player but as a leader and figurehead for the team. “We know what an important player he is and leader in the group – he’s our captain,” he said. The coach emphasized the unpredictability of hamstring injuries, stating, “Any player at any time, if you feel something, you’re going to be worried about it. Once we get the full diagnosis then we can make a statement about it.”
In addition to the immediate implications of James’ injury, there are also considerations for the England national team. With the World Cup approaching and squad selections due by May 30, James appeared set to be included; however, his current condition will prevent him from participating in upcoming friendlies against Uruguay and Japan.
On a more positive note, the Chelsea squad was bolstered by the return of Estevao to training on Monday after an absence due to his own hamstring injury. He is being evaluated for potential participation in the game against PSG. Furthermore, Levi Colwill was also seen at training, making strides in his recovery following ACL surgery, which brings a glimmer of hope to the team as they navigate this challenging period.
However, not all news from the training ground is encouraging; goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen didn’t participate due to a groin issue. His condition is under examination to determine the extent of the injury. Additionally, right-back Malo Gusto missed training due to illness, leaving Rosenior to assess his status for the upcoming match. “With Malo, he’s ill today so we’ll have a look at him for tomorrow,” he noted in his press conference.
In other news, the team received some respite regarding Pedro Neto, who faced scrutiny for pushing a ball boy during the first leg against PSG. UEFA investigated the incident but has opted to issue a warning rather than impose disciplinary action. Rosenior expressed his support for Neto, describing him as a “top player” and emphasizing that there was no malicious intent behind his actions. “He just wanted to get on with the game, and UEFA have made the right decision,” Rosenior concluded, wrapping up a challenging week for the club as they prepare to face PSG amidst a wave of injury woes.
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