Chelsea want to protect Reece James both privately and in public in order to keep him away from the rumours and stories according to Fabrizio Romano.
Enzo Maresca confirmed before the Leicester game that James had suffered another injury setback after picking up a hamstring injury.
The 24-year-old went for a scan and it was subsequently confirmed he would be unlikely to play for the Blues again this year, with mid January earmarked as a potential return.
Romano provides update on James
It’s another bitter blow for James who has been plagued by injury issues for the majority of his Chelsea career, and he spent nearly five months out last season after having surgery on his hamstring.
James featured prominently in pre-season, but again on Chelsea’s return to England he picked up another hamstring issue in training.
The right back didn’t make his first appearance of the season until the end of October against Liverpool, and things appeared to be on the up as he completed back to back 90 minutes against Newcastle and Manchester United.
Reece James looking pensive. (Photo by: PA/Zac Goodwin)
James isn’t expected to play for Chelsea again this year. (Photo by: PA/Zac Goodwin)
The latest setback was the 20th injury James had picked up and he was said to be devastated after this latest setback.
Maresca provided an update ahead of Chelsea’s game against Southampton on Wednesday and confirmed the England international is still weeks away from returning.
Romano has shared a few more details on the situation surrounding James and how the Blues are planning to support their captain.
“Chelsea really wants to protect Reece James publicly and in private,” he said on his YouTube channel.
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The corner flag at Stamford Bridge.
Stamford Bridge halfway line.
Enzo Maresca remonstrates with a ref during a Conference League game. (Image: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC)
“They don’t want to expose the next steps of his recovery. They want to keep him away from all the media, rumours, and stories. They back him, and he won’t be leaving in January.”
It’s great that James will get all the support he needs because he’s going to need it and the best thing really is for him to block all the noise out and once again focus on getting fit and trying to get to the bottom of why these issues keep occurring.