Chelsea’s hopes of securing a crucial win in their West London derby have taken a significant hit with the news that Reece James has once again succumbed to injury. The club captain missed training this week and is highly unlikely to feature in the upcoming fixture against Brentford.
Blues manager Xabi Alonso was non-committal during his pre-match press conference, stating that the medical team would assess James' recovery on the day of the game before making a final decision.
However, England manager Thomas Tuchel took a more definitive stance, announcing that James would not be included in the squad for the forthcoming Nations League matches. To fill the right-back position, Tuchel has called up Trent Alexander-Arnold and Tino Livramento, who is back from his calf injury.
This latest injury adds to a troubling pattern for the 23-year-old, who has missed well over 100 matches throughout his career due to various setbacks. Transfermarkt reports that James has suffered recurrent muscular injuries, particularly to his hamstring, including:
- 67 days and a further 39 days out at the start and during the 2024/25 season;
- 152 days sidelined after surgery in December 2023;
- A series of muscle strains with absences of 55, 50, and 37 days for club and country;
- Knee injuries in the 2022/23 season that kept him out for 61 and 36 days, alongside ongoing minor issues with his hamstring and bruises.
The loss of their captain just days before the derby poses a serious threat to Chelsea's defensive line. The team currently sits sixth in the Premier League with seven points from four matches, having already conceded nine goals. The injury list for the London club is growing; forward Joao Pedro is also out for around three and a half weeks with a knee ligament strain.
