Chelsea will go into a punishing run of fixtures without their captain. Reece James has had knee surgery and is expected to be out for around three months, a blow that lands just as the Blues begin a stretch of matches against Everton, Tottenham, Manchester United and Liverpool.
What happened to James
The 26-year-old was hurt in training before Chelsea's 5-1 win over Bournemouth last weekend, and the decision was taken for him to go under the knife. He is now in rehabilitation with the club's medical staff. No official time-frame has been given for his return, although the three-month estimate has been widely reported.
Speaking at his Friday news conference, Xabi Alonso said everyone at the club was disappointed for the player, who had wanted a strong start after the international break. The head coach described the surgery as successful and said Chelsea would back James through his recovery without putting a date on it.
A fixture list with no breathing space
The timing is unkind. Chelsea travel to Everton on Saturday at 12:30 BST, then host London rivals Tottenham and Manchester United. A Carabao Cup trip to Liverpool sits between those two home games. Alonso's view is that the squad is deep enough to cope, pointing out that there are four more matches before the next break and that he has enough bodies to manage.
Sky Sports reported that the injury does not change Chelsea's plans for the January window, which is worth noting given how quickly a long absence for a first-choice full-back can set off transfer talk.
A familiar story for a long-serving captain
James is Chelsea's longest-serving player, and his availability has been a recurring theme in recent years. Repeated injuries cost him several international tournaments with England after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Last season was a notable improvement, and he played a prominent part in England's World Cup campaign. This latest setback means the stop-start pattern is back, and Chelsea will have to find a way to cover the right side for a big chunk of the autumn.
Injury facts: Reece James, 26, Chelsea captain, knee surgery, about three months out. Next fixtures: Everton (away, Saturday 12:30 BST), Tottenham (home), Liverpool (away, Carabao Cup), Manchester United (home).
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