Image Credits: Imago Images
Reece James is reportedly on track to return for Chelsea by early May, potentially allowing the club captain to make a decisive impact as the Blues chase Champions League qualification.
The England international had gone over a year between hamstring injuries and had featured in Chelsea’s first 24 Premier League fixtures this season.
However, the Christmas workload eventually took its toll, and a minor hip issue compounded recurring hamstring problems in mid-March.
Early reports suggested James could be out for up to two months, even raising questions about his availability for the World Cup.
According to The Guardian, he is now expected back by May. Chelsea still face four matches before the end of April, including visits from Manchester City and Manchester United.
Liam Rosenior’s side also travel to Brighton in the league and then face Leeds United in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley on April 25.
Their battle for a top-four finish appears to be a direct shootout with Liverpool, who sit just one point ahead despite a poor run into the international break and the added challenge of Champions League fixtures.
One of James’s first matches back could be the crucial clash with Liverpool at Anfield on May 9. Chelsea have won only once in their last seven trips to the red half of Merseyside – a 1-0 victory behind closed doors in the 2020–21 COVID-affected season.
The last Premier League win at Anfield in front of a crowd came before James had even started his professional career. Chelsea also face a high-stakes London derby against Tottenham Hotspur, where James’s presence could prove pivotal.
His return could also impact a potential FA Cup final. However, Chelsea must first overcome Leeds United without James, a challenging task given that the promoted Yorkshire side took four points off Chelsea in the league this season. Should Rosenior’s side progress, they would face either Manchester City or Southampton in the final.
James has cemented himself as Tuchel’s preferred right-back. He missed England’s friendlies against Uruguay and Japan last month, and replacements Ben White and Tino Livramento failed to impress in his absence.
Tuchel also has Djed Spence, Ezri Konsa, and Jarell Quansah as options at right-back but has shown little interest in Real Madrid’s Trent Alexander-Arnold.
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