Reece James has finally sustained a run of Chelsea games without being injured, something we have all been desperate to see for some time now.
His career has been tarred with injuries but finally we are now seeing a period where he is staying fit and playing regularly. I also want to compliment Enzo Maresca and the medical staff for managing him so well by dropping him out as and when he’s needed to be.
James is now out of the latest international break with an ‘injury’. But as I reported yesterday, he’s not really injured as such, he just has muscle fatigue and a wound that needs to heal. The latter is not the reason why he’s out of the international break, it’s more the muscle fatigue and the need for a rest. Again, this is just being well managed, and I personally do not believe that it was England who sent him back. I think this is Chelsea being smart.
I believe James just needs a rest, and you can see why. You can understand why. In his recent games for Chelsea he has been superb and he has been putting in 100% effort in every single minute he’s played.
Against Liverpool on Saturday, James won all 4 tackles he attempted, completed 28 of his 31 passes, made two key passes, and had 40 touches with no player on the pitch having more. James also won the only aerial duel he contested and made two clearances.
His heat map from the game shows how busy he was…
Being injury-prone, these types of performances are risky of course, but they’re also needed. He is our captain and when he sustains regular fitness I think he’s the best right back in the world.
So now let’s let him rest and I don’t think we will have any concerns about him not being back after the international break from what I’ve heard.
