Reece James has sustained a hamstring injury, but Chelsea is committed to not hastening his return to action.
The club captain is already set to miss the start of the season due to suspension.
According to the Athletic, James experienced discomfort in his hamstring during a training session this week, after being substituted in Chelsea’s pre-season friendly against Real Madrid on Tuesday.
Sources close to the club have characterized the issue as “minor,” despite James’ history with hamstring injuries, including surgery at the end of 2023.
Given that James is already suspended and will miss the start of the season, Chelsea will “err on the side of caution” with his recovery.
The skipper received his second red card of the campaign during Chelsea’s penultimate game of the previous season, resulting in an automatic four-match ban.
This suspension sidelines him from domestic matches until after next month’s international break, regardless of his fitness level.
Since his debut for Chelsea in 2019, James has been absent for 82 of the club’s 190 Premier League games.
Last season, he started just five league matches and has suffered no fewer than six hamstring injuries over the past five years.
With James suspended, Malo Gusto was initially set to start the season at right-back. However, the captain’s injury could also prevent him from participating in the Europa Conference League playoffs at the end of August.
The game against Bournemouth on September 14th is now being considered a potential return date for James, with Gusto prepared to step in for Chelsea’s Premier League opener against Manchester City next week.
