Matt Law shares what he’s been told about Reece James injury, Chelsea fans will be delighted
Chelsea’s starting XI will be a whole lot stronger when the Blues face Bournemouth after the break. Xabi Alonso will have his best players back, and those not at 100% will be.
Alonso has shown his ruthlessness by recalling Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro, after both were included by Thomas Tuchel and Carlo Ancelotti in the England and Brazil squads. Palmer is said to be disappointed.
But Alonso is a winner, and putting aside what Pedro or Palmer may feel at being withdrawn, Alonso has done what is good for the club. Pedro and Palmer should be fit and firing in time to face Bournemouth.
Insight into Reece James’ injury ahead of Bournemouth clash
Then, there are Chelsea’s other injured players. Reece James and Moises Caicedo were not called up by England and Ecuador, missing the 3-0 loss at Brentford. Caicedo’s issues have lasted the whole season.
But for James, Chelsea fans are worried because of his proneness to injury and muscle issues. However, Matt Law told the London is Blue podcast that, from what he’s been told, he isn’t worried about James.
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Law was asked: “You’re not worried about that one?”, to which The Telegraph’s Law replied: “Not this particular injury. I believe what I’m told, and I believe that he’ll be back after the international break.
“And that it was a small difficulty. Obviously, everyone has their concerns around Reece in terms of durability, but if we’re talking about this specific injury, I’m not worried,” Law continued on James.
Where does Reece James play when everyone is fit again?
Alonso had to use James in midfield at the start of the season, but his performances in the middle of the park were some way away from what Chelsea fans expect of their captain. He needs some midfield help.
Moises Caicedo’s return is a huge boost, and Alonso will have Romeo Lavia, Valentin Barco and Jordan Henderson to choose from to go alongside him. That leaves James at wing-back, or right of a back three.
Marco Palestra is also due to return in the coming days, after his injury. If Alonso has a full complement after the break, it might be that James plays on the right of the back three, with Palestra at wing-back.
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