Reece James’ Return Delayed: Chelsea Captain’s Hamstring Injury Setback Extends Recovery Time
Reece James’ return from his recurring hamstring injury is set to take longer than expected, as Chelsea’s medical team has decided to delay his comeback.
Despite showing positive signs of recovery, including training updates from James himself, the club’s staff is exercising caution to avoid rushing him back too soon.
This setback follows a series of hamstring problems for the Chelsea captain, which have limited his involvement over the past few seasons.
Since debuting for the club in 2019, James has missed 82 of Chelsea’s 194 Premier League matches. His injury troubles have been a significant challenge, with six hamstring issues reported over the last five years.
Last season, he started just five league matches, and the most recent injury occurred just before the 2024/25 campaign.
While James continues his recovery, Chelsea, under the guidance of Enzo Maresca, will face West Ham in their upcoming Premier League fixture.
Chelsea’s midfield is set to receive a significant boost ahead of their upcoming clash with West Ham, as both Enzo Fernandez and Romeo Lavia are expected to return from recent setbacks.
Fernandez, who has been pivotal under manager Enzo Maresca, missed Chelsea’s previous match against Bournemouth due to a sudden illness but has since resumed training at Cobham and looks ready to return to the starting lineup.
Romeo Lavia, who has had a tough start to life at Chelsea following his £52 million move from Southampton, is also nearing full fitness after recovering from a hamstring injury.
Maresca confirmed Lavia’s readiness for a return, suggesting that he could be back in contention for the West Ham match.
Additionally, Malo Gusto, who sustained a thigh injury during a 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace and missed out on international duty with the France Under-21 team, is now back in training and is likely to be available for selection. These returns are a timely boost for Chelsea, who will be looking to regain momentum in the Premier League.
Reece James’ Return Delayed: Chelsea Captain’s Hamstring Injury Setback Extends Recovery Time
