The defender missed Saturday's win over Bournemouth and has now undergone surgery
Chelsea's Reece James arriving before the Premier League match at the Gtech Community Stadium, Brentford.
Chelsea have confirmed that Reece James has undergone surgery. (Image: John Walton/PA Wire)
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Chelsea have confirmed that club captain Reece James has undergone surgery following a knee injury picked up in training. The full-back missed last weekend's 5-1 win over Bournemouth through the injury.
James now faces a period on the sidelines after going under the knife. The Blues have given the latest update in an official statement released on their website. "Captain Reece James has undergone successful minor knee surgery," it read.
"The 26-year-old was absent from Saturday’s 5-1 victory over Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge while medical assessments took place following the injury suffered in training. Those assessments confirmed surgery would be the required course of action.
"Reece has already begun his road to recovery and will be supported by the club's medical department at Cobham during this rehabilitation phase.
"Everyone at Chelsea wishes Reece a speedy recovery and will support him on his road to return."
The injury is the latest in a string that have blighted James over the last few years. He missed the 3-0 defeat against Brentford before the international break due to a knock and was subsequently left out of Thomas Tuchel's England squad.
Reece James during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase match between Atalanta BC and Chelsea FC.
Reece James has been hit with another injury blow(Image: Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
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James returned to training ahead of the clash against Bournemouth, but after the match, Xabi Alonso confimed that he was being assessed after he 'felt something.' "He felt something, but after we did the tests later in the afternoon," he said.
"He had some little issues on the knee, so we need to check how long it will be. We will assess it week by week."
The 26-year-old has made six appearances in all competitions for Chelsea so far this season, with four of those coming in the Premier League. How long he will be out of action for after the latest setback is unclear, but Alonso is expected to give the latest when he speaks to the media on Friday afternoon.
Chelsea take on Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium in the Premier League in Saturday's early kick-off. Jordan Henderson could again start to replace James in midfield, where he has played most often this season.
The England man has started the last two Premier League games after recovering from an arm injury suffered during the World Cup. He scored twice and provided an assist in the win over Bournemouth in just his second appearance for the club.