Championship manager sounds warning to Chelsea over defensive target: "It would take a lot of money"
According to the Daily Mail, Chelsea star Reece James has suffered an injury scare on his knee and has undergone a scan ahead of his pre-season tour to the USA. The Englishman has been plagued by fitness concerns since the summer of 2022.
The right-back had a miserable season in 2022-23 as a knee injury hampered the campaign and limited his game time. In general, multiple Chelsea players suffered injuries, which also impacted their season initially, but James more than others struggled to get going.
The 23-year-old suffered two knee injuries between October and January, causing him to miss the 2022 World Cup. Despite his scan, the right-back is still going to participate in the pre-season tour to the USA. Hopefully, we won’t rush him back into action and risk further complications.
Mauricio Pochettino will need his entire squad for the pre-season as he prepares the players for their first game of the 2023–24 season against Liverpool on August 13. While it is imperative that the Argentine gets a look at the stars under him, it makes little sense to push James unless he is 100 percent fit.
However, Romelu Lukaku, Hakim Ziyech, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are not part of the tour to the USA after they were informed they don’t have to train and have been told to return on Monday when the players fly to the USA. All three face an uncertain future at the club and could see exit gate soon, while the Blues also need to make a few more signings before the new season begins.
James is a key player for Chelsea and one of the best full-backs in the Premier League when fit. While the arrival of Malo Gusto does give Pochettino options, James is someone who can be a game-winner on his day. Hopefully, Gusto can hold down the fort until his more accomplished compatriot returns to his best.
Given Pochettino’s high-energy system, we need players who can last a season while playing at a high tempo. James’s niggling injuries have gone on for a while now and we cannot afford to let this be a persistent issue. The sooner we can get to a permanent solution the better. James right now needs rest and rehab so he will be ready once the season gets going. If benching him for a few matches is what it takes, so be it.
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