Steve Nicol send an important message to Reece James ahead of next season

Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!

Reece James: A Promising Pre-Season Highlight for Chelsea

One of the standout moments of Chelsea’s pre-season so far has been the consistent availability of one of their most talented players, Reece James.

Reece James’ Injury Struggles

Last season, James faced a series of injuries that limited his appearances in 2024. Additionally, he will miss the opening games of the upcoming season due to a suspension from a red card against Brighton. Despite this, James managed to get 45 minutes of play in pre-season, even trying out a new midfield role.

James Embraces Midfield Role

James has expressed his enjoyment of playing in the midfield, a position that could be crucial for Enzo Maresca’s strategy next season.

Nicol’s Advice on Injury Management

Staying fit is vital for the club captain. Steve Nicol offered some advice to the 24-year-old on ESPN, emphasizing the importance of caution with injuries.

Nicol shared his own experience, saying, “If there is any sort of double or he feels anything, then he has to stop. I missed almost a season back in 86-87 and came into the new season with the mindset of taking it one training session, one game at a time. Fortunately, everything went well for me. Reece is at the beginning, so he needs to take it easy every time he trains or plays.”

Competition from Malo Gusto

Even if James stays fit, he will face competition for his spot from Malo Gusto, who had an impressive first season at the club. Cole Palmer even named Gusto as his player of the season, highlighting his ability to create opportunities from wide positions, similar to James.

Future Prospects for Cucurella

The responsibility of providing width and creating chances might fall to Marc Cucurella once he returns from his Euro 2024 duties, adding another layer of competition and versatility to Chelsea’s squad.