Chelsea defender suffers setback, out for weekend clash | OneFootball

Chelsea captain Reece James has suffered another setback, with a fresh injury ruling him out of action for the foreseeable future.

The 24-year-old right-back, who has struggled with fitness issues throughout his career, had only recently returned to the squad following months on the sidelines.

James missed the start of the season due to a recurring hamstring problem but made a promising return in October, featuring in four consecutive Premier League matches before the international break.

Manager Enzo Maresca revealed on Thursday, ahead of this weekend’s game against Leicester City, that James had picked up another hamstring injury during training earlier in the week.

Maresca described the injury as minor but emphasised that the club would not take any risks with their skipper’s fitness.

“He felt something small, and we don’t want to take any risks for the weekend,” Maresca said. “Hopefully, it’s not something long-term, but we’ll see.”

This latest setback extends James’s frustrating injury record. Since the beginning of last season, the defender has been sidelined for a total of 271 days, making just 30 Premier League appearances in that time.

Despite his undeniable talent and importance to Chelsea, injuries have severely limited his ability to contribute consistently.

James underwent surgery in December 2023 to address his persistent hamstring issues and had shown signs of returning to form.

He played key roles in Chelsea’s matches against Newcastle United, Manchester United and Arsenal, but his most recent outing as a late substitute against Arsenal on November 10 now appears to be his last for an indeterminate period.

Malo Gusto is expected to step in at right-back for Chelsea’s match against Leicester on Saturday. The Frenchman, who had been nursing an ankle knock during the international break, is now fit and likely to take James’s place.

Other options include Axel Disasi and Marc Cucurella, although the latter is more naturally suited to the left flank.

James’s absence is a significant blow for Chelsea as they look to rebuild momentum in their season.

The club will hope this latest setback is brief, with the player potentially available for upcoming fixtures if his recovery goes as planned.