Liam Rosenior confirmed Reece James has suffered a devastating hamstring injury just ahead of the run-in, and now it has been reported just how long Chelsea will be without their skipper.
Days after signing a new six-year contract at Chelsea, James has picked up a muscle injury having stayed largely injury-free over the course of the season. Rosenior confirmed the injury after the initial reports.
However, the Chelsea manager, speaking on the eve of Chelsea’s Champions League second leg against PSG, said that he was unaware of the extent of James injury. That he would be undergoing a scan soon.
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The best right-back in the world!
Regardless, James is set for a spell on the sidelines just as the season starts to get interesting, with the Blues still on course for the top-five and a chance at winning the FA Cup, with Port Vale up next.
Fabrice Hawkins reports how long Reece James will be out for
But reports have since emerged, following Rosenior’s press conference, that James will now be sidelined for two months in total. That is according to RMC Sport reporter Fabrice Hawkins, who posted on X.
Reece James of Chelsea celebrates
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“James’ unavailability is estimated at 2 months following this new hamstring tear. Chelsea’s captain has a slim hope of playing again with the Blues at the very end of the season. Confirmed out for Chelsea/PSG.”
With James now on the sidelines for two months, the chances are he will miss the rest of the season. Chelsea have two Premier League games to play after two months, against Liverpool and Tottenham.
Who will replace Reece James against PSG and beyond?
The straightforward switch of bringing Malo Gusto in at right-back and Andrey Santos in midfield to replace the cover of James is in doubt. Rosenior also confirmed that Gusto missed training on Monday.
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Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior poll results
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Indeed, Gusto’s issue is a lot simpler, with the Frenchman sidelined due to illness. It is believed that he should be okay to play against PSG on Tuesday night, but as things stand, that remains up in the air.
If Gusto and James are unavailable, it is likely that Josh Acheampong comes in on the right of defence and will be tasked with marshalling Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Santos will almost definitely start in midfield.
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