Chelsea’s injury record was brilliant to start the season – but of course it wasn’t going to last forever – and player by player the numbers of wounded have increased, especially in defence.
It seems like we’ve turned the corner though, with a few players expected back in a couple of weeks. Enzo Maresca’s press conference today gave updates on some of them, with his words on Reece James perhaps providing the biggest individual update.
James has been out since mid-November with a hamstring injury, another frustrating spell on the sidelines for a player whose body just can’t live up to the demands of top level football, despite surgery a year ago which was supposed to end the nightmare.
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Tyrique George and Josh Acheampong on the USA tour.
Tosin Adarabioyo playing in the Conference League. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Josh Acheampong plays against Barrow. (Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
Well, James is still a great player when he’s available, and it sounds like his latest return to action isn’t that far away now. Maresca confirmed today that he’s begun partial team training, the first step towards a return after rehab, and will gradually be ramped up with a return in a few weeks expected:
“Reece [James] will finally start with us for part of the session. Slowly, slowly, he will be back. It doesn’t mean he’s going to be with us on Sunday, or next Sunday, just today the plan is for part of the session he’ll be with the team,” the manager explained.
Acheampong move means no need for James rush
Josh Acheampong playing Shamrock Rovers. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
Josh Acheampong playing Shamrock Rovers. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
James’s absence from the team has created a gap in the squad for Josh Acheampong, who has now signed a new deal and has looked brilliant when he’s played, including last night against Shamrock Rovers.
His emergence means there’s no need to rush James back at all, as Maresca now has the youngster plus Malo Gusto and even Moises Caicedo to potentially use at right back.