Chelsea fans are saying the same thing after reports Reece James has new injury blow
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!
Chelsea’s Injury Woes and Reece James’ Latest Setback
Chelsea is eager to see a significant reduction in injuries this upcoming season, especially after last year’s challenges with many key players sidelined.
Last Season’s Injury Challenges
The Blues faced a difficult campaign last year, with crucial players like Romeo Lavia, Wesley Fofana, and Christopher Nkunku missing extended periods due to injuries. Reece James, Chelsea’s captain, was also part of this unfortunate trend, featuring only 11 times across all competitions.
Recently, James expressed that his main goal for the new season is to remain injury-free, as noted by Nizaar Kinsella on X. Unfortunately, there are already media reports indicating that the 24-year-old defender has encountered a new issue before the season has even kicked off.
New Injury Concerns for Reece James
According to The Athletic, James has suffered a fresh hamstring injury after experiencing some discomfort during pre-season training. Although this hamstring problem is considered “minor,” Chelsea is eyeing a potential return date of 14 September against Bournemouth in the Premier League.
James will miss the first three league matches of the 2024/25 season due to suspension. He would have been eligible to play in two UEFA Conference League play-off matches in August.
Josh Acheampong: A New Opportunity?
Many Chelsea fans on social media have responded to James’ injury by suggesting it could be an opportunity for young talent Josh Acheampong. Acheampong, an 18-year-old right-back, traveled with Chelsea’s first-team squad during their U.S. tour this summer and got some playing time in the friendly against Wrexham.
While Malo Gusto is the obvious choice to replace James in the starting XI, supporters on X have speculated that Acheampong might earn a first-team promotion given James’ injury-prone history.
One fan said: “We may have to keep Acheampong. It’s not looking good for our captain.”
One supporter posted: “With Reece’s injury record, Acheampong might be getting serious game time.”
Another claimed: “Always knew Reece James wouldn’t play a lot. We need to keep Acheampong.”
Chelsea’s Need for Squad Depth
Considering the number of games Chelsea is expected to play both domestically and in Europe, having a third right-back in the squad seems like a wise strategy. Given James’ ongoing fitness struggles, promoting a young player from the academy to back up Gusto could be a sensible move.
Journalist Miguel Delaney recently reported on X that Acheampong is not for sale, despite interest from Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain. Chelsea’s head coach Enzo Maresca is reportedly impressed with the young English talent after observing him in pre-season.
If Chelsea believes Acheampong is ready to step up next season, he could potentially fill a role similar to what Alfie Gilchrist did last year, providing valuable support and depth to the team.
