Reece James sustained a hamstring injury in the 2-0 defeat to Everton . (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Reece James is currently dealing with fitness issues and is still unfit to play for Chelsea for the entirety of a match. The 23-year-old cannot be used for the full 90 minutes of every Chelsea game, according to Graham Potter.
Injury-wise, James has endured a frustrating season. The right-back is currently being monitored for fitness as he recovers from a previous knee injury.
He missed the World Cup because of a knee injury he acquired playing against AC Milan in October, and in his first game back, the final game of 2022 at Stamford Bridge, he was substituted only after 53 minutes due to injury.
By controlling his workload and reducing the likelihood of subsequent setbacks, Potter is aiming to avoid a predicament similar to this one.
The England international’s first match back saw him play for just over an hour against Fulham at the beginning of February. Ever since, he has participated in three games for the full 90 minutes, missing only the defeat to Southampton at home when he was completely omitted from the roster.
Addressing his injury on the club’s fifth stand app (h/t Football.London), Potter explained the England international’s injury and stated that he is still unable to play the entire game, as he said:
“I’ve tried to explain many times about long-term injuries. If Reece James injures himself because of an overload issue because he hasn’t had time to recover or play three games in a week, that is on me. “Obviously, I take the consequences, which are that we change the team.”
James’ absence severely hurt us at the right-back position, and now that Cesar Azpilicueta is injured, we don’t have a backup for the 23-year-old, which will cause Potter more problems.
To avoid aggravating his problems, the 47-year-old may only employ James for a short time during games until he gains full fitness.
The former Swansea City manager will now have to get creative in that area. Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Raheem Sterling were tried down that side earlier this season. Perhaps trying attacking players down that wing
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