Xabi Alonso begins his job as Chelsea manager in the coming days but the Spaniard will have to wait a few more weeks before he can work with some of his key players
Unfortunately, it felt inevitable. Reece James is now set to miss the next couple of England matches – at the very least – after picking up yet another hamstring injury.
There are fears the Chelsea captain’s World Cup could be over – if England fail to reach the latter stages of the tournament in North America. James was signalling to the bench late on in Tuesday evening’s goalless draw with Ghana that he needed to come off, however Thomas Tuchel had already made all five of his substitutions.
A report from Sky Sports says James has not travelled with the rest of the England squad to New Jersey for this evening’s (Saturday’s) final Group L clash with Panama. The report goes onto say that James will not be flying back to the UK and will instead fight to be fit in the hope the Three Lions reach the latter stages of the competition.
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James played back-to-back matches for the first time since March in England’s opening two matches of the tournament. “No one could see that [James’ injury] coming,” said Tuchel. Yet, we all could, unfortunately.
“Reece was in good shape,” the England boss added. “[Ezri] Konsa played in that right-back position as well for us on a high level. No problem. We would love to have Reece as a key player but he’s not available. We will find solutions. That’s what we do.”
The way Chelsea managed him last season saw James somewhat overcome the frequent muscular problems but there was still a concern from supporters every time he stepped out onto the pitch. James said this less than a week ago: “People always talk about injuries and availability, and to me it’s so boring now.
“I have one job, which is to be the best I can when I’m on the pitch. I understand the stigma at the start, but after a while it gets boring.
“I’ve been fit for a long time before my last injury, and I don’t listen to too much noise. I just focus on myself and my body, trying to perform the best I can and help the team I’m playing in.”
Chelsea’s medical staff will be keeping a close eye on any developments with their captain in the coming days. The Blues’ staff found a nice rhythm when it came to James and how many minutes he could play, and how regularly he could be used.
Xabi Alonso will be briefed on this when he starts his job next week and the incoming Chelsea manager will also have an interest in James for the remainder of the World Cup. For Alonso, keeping James as fit and available as possible will be crucial if he wants to impress in his debut season at Stamford Bridge.
Whether it’s at right back or in the centre of midfield, you can rely on James – nine times out of 10 – to produce a solid, sometimes match-winning, performance for the west Londoners. With talk of Malo Gusto leaving this summer, a cautious approach may have to be taken with James next term in order to keep him ready and available.
Manchester City and other top clubs are interested in Gusto, with Chelsea sources telling football.london earlier in the week that the Blues value the right back at £75million. If Gusto is to be sold, it leaves Alonso with James and new signing Marco Palestra as options on the right side of defence.
Josh Acheampong can also play there but Chelsea view his long-term position in the middle of defence. It will be interesting to see the approach the Blues take with Palestra should James – touch wood this is not the case – have another injury-plagued campaign.
At 21 years old, he is not too young when it comes to modern-day football – to modern-day Chelsea, for that matter – but it will be his debut season in the Premier League and we have all seen foreign players take their time to adapt to the physicality and intensity of English football. Let’s hope Palestra is not put in a position next season where he is relied on too much and that Alonso, working in tandem with the club’s medical department, can find the right balance when it comes to James.
