Reece James Suffers Another Injury Blow Ahead of Premier League Season

Chelsea captain Reece James has suffered another hamstring injury, putting his availability for the start of the Premier League season in doubt.

With just seven days left before the league kicks off, this latest setback is a significant concern for the Blues.

Injury Concerns for James

Reece James, who missed a large part of last season due to injury, was showing promising form in pre-season.

The 24-year-old started all five of Chelsea’s friendlies, giving fans hope that he was back to full fitness.

However, after returning from the team’s pre-season tour in the USA, James experienced discomfort during a training session at Cobham.

Club sources, speaking anonymously to The Athletic, have described the injury as minor.

Despite this, Chelsea are likely to be cautious with James, possibly aiming for his return after the international break in their match against Bournemouth on September 14th.

Impact on Chelsea’s Early Season

James’s recurring hamstring issues have been a problem throughout his career, limiting his appearances in key matches.

Last season, he played only five Premier League games after undergoing surgery in December to address a persistent issue in his left leg.

His latest injury means he will also miss Chelsea’s UEFA Conference League play-off fixtures against Braga or Servette, set for August 22nd and August 29th.

Adding to the difficulty, James was already scheduled to miss Chelsea’s first three league matches due to a suspension carried over from last season. This leaves Malo Gusto, who had a strong 2023/24 campaign, as the likely replacement in the starting lineup.

Fitness Concerns for the Season Ahead

Reece James’s latest injury raises fresh concerns about his long-term fitness as Chelsea prepare for a critical start to the season.

With James being a key player and the team’s captain, Chelsea’s management and fans will be hoping for a speedy recovery and a return to full fitness as soon as possible.