Chelsea’s preparations for the upcoming Premier League season have taken a hit as captain Reece James has suffered a fresh hamstring injury during training this week.
This latest setback continues a frustrating trend for the 24-year-old, who has been dogged by injuries over the past few seasons.
James, who made only 11 appearances for the Blues last season due to a lengthy recovery from hamstring surgery, had been showing signs of returning to full fitness.
The right-back played in all five of Chelsea’s pre-season fixtures and appeared to be on track to lead his side into the new campaign.
However, after the squad returned from their pre-season tour in America, James reportedly experienced discomfort in his hamstring during training.
Although the injury has been described as minor, it comes at a critical time. James is already set to miss Chelsea’s first three Premier League games due to a suspension, but this injury now raises concerns about his availability for Chelsea’s crucial fixtures later this month.
The two-legged UEFA Conference League play-off against Braga or Servette on August 22 and 29 could also be at risk for the Blues’ captain.
While Chelsea’s medical team will take a cautious approach to ensure James’ recovery, there will undoubtedly be worries within the club about his ability to stay fit.
With the new season just around the corner, Chelsea will be hoping that their captain can quickly overcome this setback and avoid further injury woes.
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