As far as injuries go this season, Chelsea should be counting themselves lucky for the fact that so few have fallen so far.
Enzo Maresca has hardly seen any of his first team players fall to a significant problem this season, something that certainly could not be said for Mauricio Pochettino’s tenure at the club.
The Italian is earning his luck though after taking the chances to rest his entire starting lineup when cup matches have been coming around in between league fixtures.
Things have not been perfect though, and the loss of Reece James to injury again is no doubt a significant blow to both the club and the player.
Moises Caicedo of Chelsea celebrates with team mate Reece James after tackling Alexander Isak of Newcastle United (not pictured) during the Premier...
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Chelsea accept Reece James won’t be back until 2025
With the club captain set for at least another few weeks on the treatment table, there is surely frustration building amongst staff at the club that nothing they do seems to maintain his fitness.
Fabrizio Romano has stated that Chelsea have accepted internally that James will not feature again in 2024, and that they owe him the responsibility of protecting him during his time out.
He said: “The feeling Internally at Chelsea is that Reece James won’t make it before the end of the year, so 2024 is over.
“The expectation is to return in January 2025. Chelsea really want to protect the player in public and in private.”
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Reece James could lose Chelsea captaincy
James’ record since becoming captain of Chelsea is far from ideal, and more often than not the Blues have had to call upon one of their deputies to step in.
Despite no talk of it as yet, another issue could soon twist Maresca’s arm as a number of his players prove their credentials.
Levi Colwill is being earmarked as a future captain of the club, although it is hard to look past how Enzo Fernandez has stepped up to play the role of skipper in recent Chelsea victories.
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