Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has confirmed that captain Reece James is the only player who is unavailable heading into Sunday’s game against Manchester City.
The Blues struggled with injuries last season, with there being several occasions when the casualty list hit double figures. Fans on X are delighted that the treatment room is almost completely empty:
Wow, is this Chelsea?
— Gvido (@cfc_gvido) August 16, 2024
it’s a maresca miracle
— Miky (@MudrykEra) August 16, 2024
Wow that’s really great 👍🏻
— Bishnupada Sahoo (@Bishnu_1012) August 16, 2024
That’s good news
— Mouse (@ghanamouse) August 16, 2024
This is new.
— EatSleepChelseaRepeat Podcast ⭐️⭐️ (@eatsleepchelsea) August 16, 2024
No longer recognize my club
— Essien Stan (@Essien_Stan) August 16, 2024
Great news
— ︎DAFE (@rocketvibez) August 16, 2024
Good, I hope it continues like that. Less injuries.
— CONTEXT VIDEOS (@Context2X) August 16, 2024
Poch would have had 4 out already to make excuses lol
— Chelsea4Ever⭐️⭐️💙 (@Chelsea4everA) August 16, 2024
Injuries have contributed to Chelsea’s recent problems
There is no doubt that if the likes of Christopher Nkunku, Reece James, Wesley Fofana and Romeo Lavia had stayed fit last campaign, the club could have finished a lot higher than 7th place.
However, some feel that Mauricio Pochettino’s intense training methods may have contributed to the injury list over the course of the season. How much truth there is in that though is open to interpretation.
When will James return to fitness?
The captain has picked up a relatively minor hamstring problem but, considering his history with such injuries, the club’s medical team are being very cautious.
James is not expected to play this side of the first international break, meaning a return in late September has been pencilled in.
The fullback has had a constant battle to stay fit in recent years, and supporters are glad that the club have Malo Gusto as a very capable understudy.
Find out who is in Chelsea’s first-team squad for the 2024/2025 season here
