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Photo by Vince Mignott/MB Media/Getty Images
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Photo by SEBASTIEN BOZON / AFP via Getty Images
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After Chelsea’s update that Reece James has undergone minor knee surgery, it has now been reported just how long the Blues skipper will be missing as he starts rehab.
While Cole Palmer, Moises Caicedo, Marco Palestra and Joao Pedro have all returned, there was always a feeling of uncertainty and the unknown regarding James’ situation throughout the international break.
Now, Chelsea have confirmed that he has undergone knee surgery, which the club described as ‘minor’. Shortly after, the Mail’s Kieran Gill has confirmed just how long he will now be missing; three months.
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Kieran Gill’s update on Reece James after Chelsea post statement
A shattering blow for Chelsea fans, but also for manager Xabi Alonso, who has already had to deal with more than his fair share of injuries. Following Chelsea’s update, Gill posted this on X on Friday morning.
With Reece James injured AGAIN, is it time to strip him of the captaincy? 😕 If so, who are you giving it to?
No timeline has been given for his return…
jonathan.gorrie
Jordan Henderson! There's a reason he keeps getting picked by top managers, so may as well use it!
“Update on Reece James: told Chelsea’s captain is not expected to be back playing for around three months; general estimation is that Chelsea will not rush him back prematurely,” Gill told Chelsea fans.
It is a massive blow, with Alonso’s preferred midfield duo believed to be James and Caicedo. Alonso will now have to rely heavily on Jordan Henderson, Valentin Barco and Romeo Lavia as Caicedo’s partners.
James will definitely miss 16 matches for Chelsea in all comps
Given James is now going to miss the next three months, if Gill’s information is correct, the Chelsea skipper will be missing until the middle of January. A hammer blow for Chelsea’s top-four projections.
If that is the case, James is set to miss 14 Premier League games. The next Premier League match after three months is Chelsea’s clash against Sunderland on January 16, with the game at Stamford Bridge.
Then, there are cup competitions. One slight relief is that James won’t be missing European matches, simply because Chelsea failed to qualify for Europe last season. But he will miss the Carabao Cup run.
Chelsea face Liverpool at Anfield on Wednesday, taking the total number of games missed to 15. Round five takes place in December, and the first leg of the semi-final comes just before the Sunderland game.
If Chelsea progress that far, it could mean James is missing for another two games, while the third round of the FA Cup will occur at the start of January. James could miss 18 matches and will definitely miss 16.