Reece James’s injury hell returns to haunt him: Chelsea captain out for weeks with hamstring problem
Chelsea captain Reece James has been ruled out of their crucial Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain and faces weeks on the sidelines with a hamstring injury.
James missed open training on Monday ahead of the second leg of their last 16 showdown with the French giants and The Athletic have now confirmed the reason for the full back’s absence.
The England defender, 26, signed a new six-year deal with the club last week but now faces missing a critical period of action in Liam Rosenior’s side’s battle to secure Champions League qualification.
A run of just one win in their last five league games has seen Chelsea slip to sixth in the Premier League table.
James’ latest injury blow – the 10th different hamstring injury he has suffered to either leg since December 2020 – means he will also miss England’s friendlies against Uruguay and Japan later this month.
The right back was a shoo-in to be selected for the squad by England boss Thomas Tuchel, who must name his World Cup squad by May 30.
Reece James faces several weeks on the sidelines after picking up a hamstring injury
James has played in all bar three of Chelsea’s Premier League fixtures this term, enjoying a relatively long period without a major injury by his standards.
His absence from England’s next international break could open up an opportunity for Trent Alexander-Arnold to demonstrate to Tuchel why he should take him to the World Cup.
Tuchel has only used Alexander-Arnold once in his 10 matches since becoming England manager.
Meanwhile, James’ Chelsea team-mate Pedro Neto has escaped punishment after his altercation with a ball-boy towards the end of Chelsea’s 4-2 Champions League loss to Paris Saint-Germain.
UEFA opened disciplinary proceedings against the forward after he pushed the boy over in an attempt to retrieve the ball, to which the youngster had clung.
However, Neto has been hit with a one-match ban and a £70,000 fine after accepting a charge of misconduct relating to his recent dismissal against Arsenal.
He was charged by the FA after failing to leave the pitch promptly in the wak of his sending-off.
His red card was Chelsea’s 10th of the season in all competitions.
