Reece James sustained a hamstring injury in the 2-0 defeat to Everton . (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Chelsea have confirmed that right-back and England international Reece James has been ruled out for up to a month, according to a report published by Football. London.
The 23-year-old returned to action after suffering a knee ligament damage during the Champions League group-stage game against AC Milan back in mid-October. Such injury led to the defender missing out on the World Cup with the Three Lions in Qatar.
He returned to training earlier this month and stepped up his recovery during the behind-closed door friendly in the month-long break. It seemed his recovery was good enough for Graham Potter to consider starting him against Bournemouth last Tuesday.
But as fate would have it, during the start of the second-half, the right-back signalled that he felt pain in his knee and soon lay down on the turf in clear pain and anguish. The 23-year-old was immediately substituted and was also seen leaving Stamford Bridge wearing a knee brace.
It was believed that he had done a significant damage to his knee and it was confirmed later when the club issued a statement, ruling him out at least for a month till the end of January. This is what the club statement read:
“Reece James underwent assessment earlier today after being substituted during the second half of last night’s 2-0 Premier League victory over AFC Bournemouth due to a knee injury. Scan results have regrettably confirmed a setback for the 23-year-old, with Reece now set to be ruled out for up to a month.”
Cesar Azpilicueta is the only one who can play at the right-side and he has struggled to perform so far this season. The manager has also used players like Ruben-Loftus Cheek, Christian Pulisic and even Raheem Sterling in that position and received that same result of unsatisfactory performance.
James’ injury news will not come as a welcoming one by both the manager or the fans. The right-back has after all been one of our best players this season. Potter had struggled to field a player in his position during his absence and it will likely be the same story again if the club does not get into a new player for that position.
It remains to be seen if the club does bring in a new player in the right-back position. As for James, he will hope to recover soon as the 23-year-old has seen most of this season from the sidelines.
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