Reece James, Chelsea’s 24-year-old right-back and team captain, is facing further delays in his return to full fitness, raising concerns about his ability to start in the upcoming match against Bournemouth following the international break.
Reports indicate that James has not yet resumed full training, making it unlikely he will be ready for that fixture, and potentially others in the near future.
James has endured a difficult season so far, having not appeared in any competitive matches for Chelsea. His absence began with a suspension for the first three games of the current season due to a red card he received in the last match of the previous season against Brighton.
However, even after serving his suspension, ongoing fitness issues have kept him sidelined, preventing the much-anticipated return to the field.
Throughout the preseason, James participated in Chelsea’s preparations under the guidance of new coach Enzo Maresca, who placed significant emphasis on enhancing James’ fitness to ensure he would be ready for the season ahead.
This focus was particularly important given James’ history of injuries. Last season, he was out of action for nearly five months following surgery for a hamstring injury, a loss that was deeply felt by Chelsea as his defensive skills and leadership are crucial to the team’s performance.
Despite his efforts during the preseason tour in the United States, where he gained some playing time, James encountered a minor setback with his hamstring upon returning to the UK.
This issue forced him to miss Chelsea’s final preseason match against Inter Milan. Although he was suspended for the opening three Premier League matches, there was hope that he would recover in time to contribute soon after.
The inclusion of James in Chelsea’s squad for the Europa Conference League play-off against Servette sparked optimism among fans that he might finally make his return.
However, he did not play in that match, and his absence has continued, leaving both the club and its supporters uncertain about when he will be fit to play again.
The latest fitness update on the Chelsea star is likely to concern fans.
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Reece James, Chelsea’s 24-year-old right-back and team captain, is facing further delays in his return to full fitness, raising concerns about his ability to start in the upcoming match against Bournemouth following the international break.
Reports indicate that James has not yet resumed full training, making it unlikely he will be ready for that fixture, and potentially others in the near future.
James has endured a difficult season so far, having not appeared in any competitive matches for Chelsea. His absence began with a suspension for the first three games of the current season due to a red card he received in the last match of the previous season against Brighton.
However, even after serving his suspension, ongoing fitness issues have kept him sidelined, preventing the much-anticipated return to the field.
Throughout the preseason, James participated in Chelsea’s preparations under the guidance of new coach Enzo Maresca, who placed significant emphasis on enhancing James’ fitness to ensure he would be ready for the season ahead.
This focus was particularly important given James’ history of injuries. Last season, he was out of action for nearly five months following surgery for a hamstring injury, a loss that was deeply felt by Chelsea as his defensive skills and leadership are crucial to the team’s performance.
Despite his efforts during the preseason tour in the United States, where he gained some playing time, James encountered a minor setback with his hamstring upon returning to the UK.
This issue forced him to miss Chelsea’s final preseason match against Inter Milan. Although he was suspended for the opening three Premier League matches, there was hope that he would recover in time to contribute soon after.
The inclusion of James in Chelsea’s squad for the Europa Conference League play-off against Servette sparked optimism among fans that he might finally make his return.
However, he did not play in that match, and his absence has continued, leaving both the club and its supporters uncertain about when he will be fit to play again.
Initially, there was hope that James would be ready to return to Chelsea’s starting lineup for the Bournemouth match after the international break. However, according to recent reports from The Telegraph, this now appears unlikely.
James is reportedly still several weeks away from being able to fully train, casting further doubt on his availability for upcoming matches.
James’ prolonged absence is a significant concern for Chelsea, especially given his critical role in the team’s defense and as captain.
As the season progresses, both the club and its supporters are anxiously awaiting his return, hoping that he can rejoin the squad soon to strengthen their campaign in both domestic and European competitions.
His fitness remains a key factor in Chelsea’s success, and the team is hoping for encouraging updates on his recovery in the coming weeks.
