Chelsea Confirm Reece James Knee Surgery After Training Injury
Chelsea captain Reece James has had minor knee surgery and has begun rehabilitation at Cobham, leaving the 26-year-old without a confirmed return date.
The England international underwent the procedure after assessments of a training-ground injury determined that surgery was needed. Chelsea said the operation was successful and confirmed that James will now work closely with the club’s medical staff through the recovery process.
James missed Saturday’s 5-1 Premier League win over Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge while the checks were taking place. He had returned briefly to training before that match, but discomfort quickly returned.
Xabi Alonso said the defender felt a problem and further tests later that day revealed minor knee concerns. The Chelsea manager said the club would monitor the situation on a week-by-week basis to establish the length of the absence.
Chelsea face another spell without their skipper
The operation is another setback in an increasingly difficult recent fitness record for James. A different injury had kept him out of Chelsea’s 3-0 defeat to Brentford before the international break, and that absence also meant he was not selected for Thomas Tuchel’s England squad.
Chelsea’s next assignment is an away Premier League game against Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday. Alonso must turn to other right-sided options as the Blues attempt to build on their emphatic Bournemouth victory.
The club has not set a target date for James’s comeback and will manage his rehabilitation cautiously in the hope of avoiding a further recurrence.
