Reece James is a doubt for the Premier League clash at Elland Road on Wednesday, but Cole Palmer is available again
Matt C Jones
11:38, 02 Dec 2025Updated 11:57, 02 Dec 2025
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Enzo Maresca at his press conference on Tuesday (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has revealed that Reece James is a doubt for Wednesday’s Premier League trip to Leeds United.
Chelsea travel to Elland Road on the back of an impressive 1-1 draw with league leaders Arsenal, a match in which James was the standout performer. The club captain excelled in a new midfield role despite the Blues playing with 10 men for most of the game after Moises Caicedo was sent off. Caicedo will now miss the Leeds match through suspension.
James, who has struggled with recurring injury problems in recent seasons, may also be sidelined—leaving Chelsea potentially short in a key area of the pitch.
“It’s complicated,” Maresca said at Tuesday’s press conference when asked about James’ fitness. “I would like to start him every game, but we need to see.
“He can play in both positions. He has been a full-back his whole life, but he has also played as a midfielder. He can be good in both positions. When we decide for him as a midfielder, we want physicality in the middle. It depends on the game plan, but as you said, he is doing very well in both positions.”
While Chelsea could be light in deeper midfield areas, they will at least be boosted in attack with Cole Palmer available again.
“Palmer is available,” Maresca confirmed. “He was on the bench last game.
“With 10 men (against Arsenal) it was more complicated for Cole because he needs to come back in terms of fitness. The idea is to give him some minutes until he can play 90.”
Palmer returned to the squad against Arsenal but has not played since the 2-1 defeat to Manchester United on September 20.
Chelsea will remain without Levi Colwill, Romeo Lavia and Dario Essugo, who are all still recovering from long-term injuries.
Leeds, meanwhile, enter the match in 18th place and in need of points, while Chelsea sit just six off the top after holding Arsenal to a draw on Sunday.
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