Chelsea captain Reece James is not expected to return to action until 2025 following his latest injury setback, in what is a huge blow for both player and club.
James has struggled enormously with injuries in recent seasons, making only 39 appearances across all competitions since the start of 2022/23. So far in 2024/25, James had managed 241 minutes following recovery from his previous major hamstring problem, before suffering a new one.
The Telegraph has reported there is no set timeframe for James to get back on the pitch, with Chelsea determined not to put any pressure on the player amid the mental toll of another layoff. The new hamstring injury is not thought to be a recurrence of the issue that saw him undergo surgery last December and miss the second half of the campaign, and the beginning of this one.
Ultimately, James' recovery will determine his return. But, following a scan to assess the latest damage - the result of which has not been disclosed, it is not likely to be before the end of 2024 and Chelsea will provide full mental support as well as physical rehabilitation.
James "felt something small" in training in the week leading up to Chelsea's Premier League win over Leicester City, with manager Enzo Maresca confirming the club immediately took no risks.
Maresca also alluded to the mental battle that comes with being regularly sidelined.
"If every time he gets an injury, it becomes hard for him [mentally], that's even worse," the boss explained. "He has to accept that. He has to try and avoid as much as he can, but sometimes things happen even if you want to avoid that."
At his best, James has proven himself to be one of the best full-backs in world football, making 47 appearances across all competitions during 2020/21 as Chelsea unexpectedly won the Champions League. But injuries began to creep in after that and he has played fewer games year on year since.
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