Reece James ‘Finally Available’ for Chelsea

Reece James is set to make his long-awaited return for Chelsea after recovering from a hamstring injury that has kept him sidelined since pre-season. The 24-year-old England international is now back in training with the first-team squad after the international break, and Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has revealed plans to carefully manage his return to avoid further setbacks.

Managing James’ Return to Full Fitness

Speaking to reporters, Maresca expressed his relief at having James available again, noting the challenges the defender has faced with recurring injuries. “He [James] is finally available. He worked with us over the international break. It’s good news, especially for him because being injured is not a good feeling. Finally, he is back,” said Maresca.

The Italian coach emphasized the importance of easing James back into competitive action gradually. Similar to how Chelsea is managing other players recovering from injury, such as Romeo Lavia and Wesley Fofana, the plan for James involves limiting him to one game a week for the time being. This approach aims to reduce the risk of further injuries and help the Chelsea captain regain full fitness over time.

A Delicate Balancing Act

Maresca acknowledged the difficulty of dealing with repeated injuries, saying, “It’s complicated when you get injury, injury, injury again. It’s not easy, so you are always looking for a solution.” For now, the solution involves careful management and not overburdening James’ body by making him play multiple games in a week.

James’ return is a significant boost for Chelsea, as his leadership and defensive capabilities have been sorely missed this season. However, Maresca’s cautious approach aims to ensure that the right-back can stay fit for the long term, rather than risking another frustrating injury layoff.