Chelsea facing big decision over Reece James surgery to fix recurrent hamstring injury problems, with captain sidelined again

Injury-plagued James suffered a fresh hamstring problem in his side's 2-0 defeat by Everton last weekend. The full-back is now set for a spell on the sidelines as his club weigh up the decision of whether to operate on James' thigh, in the hope it prevents further recurrences.

Speaking to reporters ahead of facing Sheffield United on Saturday, Pochettino said: "First, we need to decide how we will proceed with his recovery.

"[On] Monday, we need to see how it is going to be, see the situation and then proceed in trying to find a different way to approach the problem and find different alternatives."

James, named club captain this summer and one of Chelsea's key players, has had his past two seasons blighted by injury problems. The full-back has missed almost half of Chelsea's games since the start of 2022-23 and his absence has without doubt impacted the Blues' performances.

Should Chelsea decide that surgery is necessary to treat James' injury, he will be sidelined for at least a couple of months. As the defender fights for fitness, form and a place in the England squad for next summer's European Championship, he will be frustrated by any setback.