Chelsea Captain Reece James Suffers Another Hamstring Injury in Training

Chelsea’s captain, Reece James, has been sidelined again due to a hamstring injury sustained during training, manager Enzo Maresca has confirmed. The 24-year-old defender, who has faced persistent injury struggles, will miss Chelsea’s Premier League clash with Leicester City on Saturday.

Maresca reassured fans that the injury appears to be minor but emphasized caution, stating:
“We don’t want to take a risk for the weekend. It’s a muscular problem, and we will monitor him closely. He’s unlikely to feature in the Conference League next Thursday, but we hope for his return soon.”

Despite James’ absence, Chelsea has several key players available, including Cole Palmer, Levi Colwill, and Wesley Fofana, though Maresca hinted at potential rotation to manage the fitness of players returning from international duty.

A Pattern of Persistent Injuries

This marks James’ eighth hamstring injury in four years, reflecting an ongoing battle with his fitness. Over the past few seasons, he has also suffered knee, thigh, and ankle injuries, as well as illness.

Key injury statistics highlight James’ struggle:

• Most league starts in a season: 25 (2019-20)
• Longest uninterrupted run of matches: Six (May 2021)
• Minutes played last season: 482, due to recurring injuries and two red cards

James underwent hamstring surgery in December 2022, aiming for long-term resolution. However, since then, he has faced two setbacks, including one in pre-season against Real Madrid.

James’ Determination to Overcome Setbacks

The Chelsea captain last played a full 90 minutes in October against Liverpool—his first in over 18 months. In pre-season, James expressed his primary goal for the year: “To stay on the pitch.”

With Chelsea relying on James’ leadership and talent, the team and fans will be hoping for a full recovery and a sustained return to action.