If anyone at Chelsea right now will have a good idea of what it is like to spend prolonged periods of time on the sidelines due to injury, it is the club captain.
Reece James has actually remained fit for a couple of months now, the longest run of time he has been fit for consistently for a long time.
This has even seen Enzo Maresca have the faith to move James to midfield, the position he sees him best off playing in the long term.
Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images
Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images
Having James stay fit has been huge with the importance of the Premier League games from now until the end of the season, with the goal being to finish in the top five and qualify for the Champions League.
It feels like the Blues need an injection of quality right now, and that could have been on the cards in the form of Omari Kellyman.
The youngster hasn’t made a first team appearance since joining the club overt the summer, however it was expected Kellyman would return next month after multiple seperate injuries.
Photo by Harriet Lander - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Harriet Lander – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Reece James reacts to Omari Kellyman’s recent injury
This has proven not to be the case though, and the attacking midfielder has ruled himself out for the rest of the season due to his latest issue.
He said on Instagram: “Beyond gutted to say that this season has come to an early end for me due to a reinjury of my hamstring, despite only just returning after having hamstring issues for a massive part of this season.
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“24/25 has been a tough season for me mentally and physically due to injury but it’s important now that I take time to get this right and come out the other side stronger and better ready for what next season brings.”
This post has seen a number of Chelsea players take to the comments to respond, with the captain and promising youngster Shumaira Mheuka leading the way.
Kellyman’s nightmare start at Stamford Bridge
After joining in a high-profile move that saw Ian Maatsen moving the other way to Villa Park, the 19-year-old will have been hoping to make an immediate impact on an already young Chelsea team.
Unfortunately, injuries have got in the way of this, with his record of issues this season scary for a player so young.
Season Kellyman Injury Date from Date to Days missed Games missed
24/25 Hamstring injury Mar 10, 2025 – 10 days 2
24/25 Hamstring injury Sep 1, 2024 Mar 10, 2025 191 days 37
24/25 Hamstring injury Aug 30, 2024 Oct 31, 2024 63 days 11
Kellyman will now be forced to use the extended time off to rehbilitate, with his aim at this stage surely being to join the first team squad for the pre-season trip to the United States.