Setback for Chelsea as young starlet withdraws from international duty due to injury

Reece James withdraws from international duty with an injury

According to Football.london, Chelsea defender Reece James has withdrawn from international duty due to an injury.

The youngster was a part of the England Under-21 team that was scheduled to play against Kosovo and Austria.

The 20-year-old emerged as an important player for Chelsea last season. He made 37 appearances for Chelsea, scoring two goals and assisting three more. (h/t Transfermarkt)

According to the report, James was injured in training and has since been replaced by former Chelsea starlet Tariq Lamptey.

The Blues kick-off their Premier League campaign away to Brighton and Hove Albion on 14th September. With the match just 12 days away, James’ injury has come at a tough time for Frank Lampard.

Thankfully, James is not expected to be out for long. But with the match against Brighton just 12 days away, it looks set to be a close thing.

Despite Chelsea’s returning to training last week, a number of players are missing due to COVID-19 quarantine and injuries.

Some of the players missing from the first-team training session are Mason Mount, Tammy Abraham and Fikayo Tomori. Moreover, Hakim Ziyech also limped off injured in the pre-season friendly against Brighton.

The international break has compounded matters as Frank Lampard has to make do without a number of his first-team stars.

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The Blues return to Stamford Bridge for their first home game of the season on September 19. The opponents on that night will be defending champions, Liverpool. The early test will be a trial of fire for Lampard’s new-look side.