Reece James’ career has long since entered a labyrinth with a difficult exit. Injuries have become a constant in his career and, at just 24 years old, he has totaled 680 days! outside the playing fields. ‘Stop the count’, they have been pleading for years at Stamford Bridge. However, there is no sign of correcting this situation. Rather, quite the opposite. So much so that he has been forced to stop again and, at the very least, will miss Chelsea’s next match against Leicester.
Reece James, in training with ChelseaCHELSEA FC
“Unfortunately, Reece James felt some minor discomfort and we don’t want to take risks for the next game. Hopefully it’s not a long-term injury,” said Enzo Maresca at a press conference this morning. After the 66 days he was out of circulation between August and October, this is the second injury he has suffered at the start of the season, where he has only been able to play four games.
At this moment, it may be the solution: one game per week
Enzo Maresca, Chelsea coach
“At this moment, it could be the solution: one game per week. In the future? I don’t know. If we want to build its physical solution, we have to go little by little,” commented several weeks ago an Enzo Maresca who is becoming ‘crazy’. He has tried to pamper him as much as possible. But he is not able to find the solution.
A ‘stand by’ screening
Cataloged as the most complete full-back in the world thanks to his ability to climb up the wing, close in a line of three or join the midfield, injuries are being the only ‘kryptonite’ that has his projection on ‘stand by’. A constant that has followed him throughout his career… but that is becoming more pronounced in recent years. And, of the 680 days that it has remained in the dry dock, more than 400 have occurred since October 2022.
Reece James’ participation in recent seasons:
2020-21: 47 games (3,270′)
2021-22: 39 games (2,773′)2022-23: 24 games (1,935′)2023-24: 11 games (481′)2024-25: 4 games (241′)
Despite the difficulties he is going through, Chelsea continue to have blind faith in Reece James. So much so that they renewed his contract in September 2022 and he is the only member of the squad (registered) who was present in the Champions League won against Manchester City in 2021. That season he played 47 games. A figure that has never been seen again.
Reece James, lifting the 2021 Champions League with ChelseaEFE
“When you don’t have an adequate leader, you need to build him. I think we don’t have an adequate leader. Reece James is on that path. But he hasn’t gotten there. He needs to put effort into this aspect and he knows it,” Enzo noted several weeks ago. Maresca will have to continue waiting for Reece James to escape from this labyrinth.
