Injuries have relentlessly conspired against Chelsea captain Reece James, whose extensive fitness woes have prevented him from enjoying sustained success in recent years.
James was one of the beneficiaries of the Blues’ transfer ban in 2019–20, as Frank Lampard turned to the club’s academy to mitigate their inability to make moves in the transfer market. James, along with Fikayo Tomori, Mason Mount and Tammy Abraham, played decisive roles in a season where Chelsea exceeded expectations by finishing fourth in the Premier League.
Since the 2021–22 campaign, though, merely being available has proven to be a tough task for James, who’s missed 118 games over four seasons due to an array of ailments, but it’s his hamstring that’s bothered him most recently.
Off the back of a superb performance in Chelsea’s 2–1 victory over Liverpool at the weekend, James was preparing to meet up with the national team for their upcoming fixtures against Wales and Latvia. Under former Blues boss Thomas Tuchel, the right-back has a shot at finally emerging as the cornerstone full-back for the Three Lions he’s long been destined to be.
However, another injury setback has forced his withdrawal from Tuchel’s latest squad, and Chelsea supporters are fretting over another lengthy absence.
