After an 11-week wait to return to action following his serious knee injury, Reece James marked his return to action with another injury and limping off the pitch after just 50 minutes of play.
After the game with Bournemouth, Graham Potter provided an update on the defender (as broadcast on the club’s official website): “Reece is disappointed, of course, and we’re at a stage at the moment where we hope it’s not it’s so bad.
He has been really disappointed to miss the World Cup, it was a big blow for him and he wanted to give himself every chance to be in the team. And he can be seen today with the quality of him, what he brings to the team.
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“So he just had to deal with the injury and try to get fit and I think he’s done well.” He wanted to take steps and the plan was for him not to play 90 minutes tonight. He had to play 60 to 65 minutes, which is an accumulation of what he did before. So now he’s disappointed, of course, and we just want to hope that he’s not as bad as he was. And then he can quickly recover.
Despite securing a 2-0 win as the pressure mounted, it’s clear the former Brighton manager was in awe of the severity of the injury his right-back had sustained.
It was too early at the time to speak for the 47-year-old to know how long the England international might be out, but after missing the World Cup with knee problems, the collective prayers at Stamford Bridge will focus on the hope that 2023 is not met with as much disruption for the former Wigan borrower.
Gareth Southgate will also be keeping an eye out in the hope that the 23-year-old will return to his best soon, as competition for his place in the national team will only increase if he makes a name for himself as a drag on fitness issues. .
With six games to go on January 21 for the Blues, they will need as many players ready to play as possible as they try to get back into the top four of the Premier League.
