Reece James' latest injury is a HUGE setback - but Chelsea risk their soul by cutting losses on Cobham's crown jewel

Chelsea had handled James with extreme care after he missed vast swathes of last season as recurrent hamstring issues eventually forced him to undergo surgery, but he managed just four appearances before being frustratingly sidelined again. He has now missed 56 games since being named club captain in 2023.

The defender felt something "small" in training in the lead-up to the clash with Leicester last weekend, and although the prognosis has not been made public, it seems almost certain that his 2024 is over.

It is another hamstring issue on his right side, though it has been reported that it is not as serious as first feared and, notably, not a recurrence of the problem that was supposed to have been remedied by surgery.

In the grand scheme of things, then, a month out is arguably the best-case scenario given what James has already been through. Nevertheless, this feels like a crushing blow for a player who was only just feeling his way back.

James had made three encouraging starts in a row post-October international break against Liverpool, Newcastle and Manchester United, despite somewhat playing within himself and lacking his trademark explosiveness.

His head coach, Enzo Maresca, is convinced he had been playing with the fear of another issue arising, which the Italian tactician believes is inevitable in James' line of work.

"We cannot say because we do not know how long the recovery time is," Maresca said. "He is getting better day by day. We are waiting for him.

"We do not know exactly so we will not say how many days he needs. It is something he has to fight in terms of it's normal, when you get injured, you become afraid, it's normal on that. At the same time, it is his profession. You can get injured."

According to The Telegraph, Chelsea are intent on not putting pressure on James and once again letting him return at his own pace, as was the case post-surgery and in the aftermath of the setback he suffered in pre-season.

That is said to be the thinking behind not setting a defined timeframe on his comeback this time around, with the player mentally impacted by this latest setback.

Maresca is clearly trying to divert attention: "We don't have doubt that when he played from the start or from the bench, he always helped us," he said this week.

"Now, he's injured. I think the best thing we can do, as the staff, and you, don't talk too much about Reece. The more we speak about Reece, the more pressure we put on them. The more you ask, the more I answer, the more we put pressure on him."

Chelsea are not a club known for showing patience, a trend that began under Roman Abramovich and has continued under the Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital ownership, as both players and managers are cast aside with disregard.

However, academy product and club captain James rightly has their grace, for the time being at least; it has been reported that the Blues have no intention of giving up on their captain as he goes through more injury hell, with the plan to give him as much time and support as he requires.

But how long will that goodwill last among the club's decision-makers if the 24-year-old's troubles persist into the second half of the season?

The England international signed a long-term, £250,000-per-week contract in 2022 that has so far not proved to be a good investment, and Financial Fair Play will surely become a consideration if he is still not regularly available.

The squad's development as a group will also be hindered if their captain is constantly absent, meaning the club might be forced into the market in search of a new right-back. Maresca had already admitted James can't play twice a week, raising questions over whether he can meet the demands of an elite club.

Chelsea fans will hope the club's current stance doesn't shift, with James - who is among the very finest on the planet in his position when fully fit - the crown jewel of Cobham.

Arguably the best player the Blues' academy has produced in the modern era, at his best he is an explosive full-back adept at both dominating defensively and bursting forward to support the attack, capable of inch-perfect crossing and devastating finishing.

It is just a shame we have not seen him hitting that level consistently since the 2021-22 season, when he contributed six goals and 10 assists in all competitions; his style of play requires a body in peak physical condition, but James' has let him down.

Of course, he is also the last man standing in a golden generation for Chelsea's famed academy, with the fates of Mason Mount, Conor Gallagher and Tammy Abraham all serving as cautionary tales if James believes his position is secure despite his injuries.

But it would be remiss for the west Londoners to let James become the latest homegrown player they cynically cash in on.

Chelsea through and through, James is a Champions League winner who has fulfilled his boyhood dream of captaining the Blues, embodying the grit and winning mentality the club has become known for.

Now the club must stand by him. It may be a gamble, but given time and with luck on his side, he could establish himself as the best right full-back in the world. At 24, time is still on his side.

If his few appearances this season are the first step to his long-term return, than perhaps this latest setback is just the next step in that journey. James certainly isn't throwing in the towel.

“This message is to the people that understand and have respect for what I’m going through," he posted on Instagram as news emerged of the fresh issue.

instagram/reece

"I appreciate you so much, your support and kind words go further than you could ever imagine.

“And just to touch on me.. I’m doing OK, been better and also been worse. Another challenge ahead accepted. Eventually I’ll come out on top. Against all odds."