Chelsea captain Reece James has been struck by another hamstring injury, jeopardising his availability for the early part of the Premier League season.
With just seven days remaining before the league’s kickoff, the full-back’s latest setback is a significant blow for the Blues.
James, who missed a substantial portion of last season due to injury, was in promising form during pre-season, starting all five of Chelsea’s friendlies.
However, he experienced discomfort during training at Cobham following the team’s return from their pre-season tour in the USA.
The injury has been described as minor by sources within the club, who spoke to The Athletic on the condition of anonymity. Despite this, Chelsea are expected to proceed cautiously, potentially aiming for a return in their fixture against Bournemouth on September 14th, after the international break.
The 24-year-old’s recurring hamstring issues have limited his appearances over the years. Last season, he featured in only five Premier League games following surgery in December to address a persistent problem in his left leg.
James was already set to miss Chelsea’s first three league matches due to a suspension from the previous season, leaving Malo Gusto, who had a strong 2023/24 campaign, as the likely replacement.
His absence however extends to Chelsea’s UEFA Conference League play-off fixtures against Braga or Servette, scheduled for August 22nd and August 29th.
The latest injury setback raises further concerns about James’s fitness as Chelsea prepare for a crucial start to the season.
