Reece James has admitted 2022 has been his “hardest year to date” immediately after he suffered an injuries setback all through Chelsea’s gain from Bournemouth on Tuesday.
The England intercontinental picked up a knee personal injury and skipped the Planet Cup in Qatar but returned to start off in his club’s 2- Leading League victory.
James lasted practically hour at Stamford Bridge before he felt soreness in the identical knee and was pressured off. He left the stadium wearing a knee brace.
On Wednesday, James posted a statement on social media describing how “challenging” his calendar year has been for him.
“2022 has been the hardest calendar year to date,” he wrote. “Just wanna thank you all for the support, none of you go unnoticed.
“It really is naturally effected [sic] me mentally, I’m now just tryna deal with the cards I’ve been dealt. I hope your conclude of year is loaded with peace, joy & pleasure.
“Really like you all, capture you up coming calendar year.”
Chelsea head coach Graham Potter admitted he was anxious by James’ setback, introducing any crew would overlook the top quality supplied by the England correct-again.
Potter, who exposed he was setting up to substitute James an hour into the match, mentioned it was “also shortly” to assess the extent of the 23-calendar year-old’s personal injury, but included: “Definitely it is the very same location so we are worried.
“We’ll have to see how the following 24 to 48 several hours go. It was a form of chopping action and then he felt a little something. We will retain our fingers crossed. He is upset. We’re just hoping it isn’t really as undesirable.
“Reece is a entire world-course participant. You see it from the outside but it can be not until finally you function with him that you understand how very good he is. He is an amazing player. He would in shape into any group in the globe so any staff would overlook him.”
Investigation: James denied perfect return by cruel injuries
Sky Sports activities football journalist David Richardson at Stamford Bridge:
James looked like he had in no way been away.
Injured considering the fact that Oct 11 with a knee situation that needed surgical procedures, James built an outstanding return to aggressive action only for it to finish soon after 53 minutes.
James had been important to Chelsea’s 2- direct, tormenting Bournemouth down their still left side and linking up flawlessly with Raheem Sterling. The proper-back again was even denied a intention by Mark Travers late in the 1st 50 %.
But soon he was trudging down the tunnel right after struggling an issue in “the exact spot” as the trouble he’d only just overcome.
Chelsea stuttered following James went off. Cesar Azpilicueta – James’ alternative – was unable to present the exact attacking threat on the correct.
Thankfully for Potter’s facet they presently held a commanding lead, but they will have a even bigger dilemma need to James be set for yet another lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Chelsea’s following six fixtures
January 1 – Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea, Leading League, live on Sky Sporting activities – kick-off 4.30pm
January 5 – Chelsea vs Manchester City, Leading League, dwell on Sky Sports activities – kick-off 8pm
January 8 – Manchester City vs Chelsea, FA Cup third spherical, kick-off 4.30pm
January 12 – Fulham vs Chelsea, Leading League, kick-off 8pm
January 15 – Chelsea vs Crystal Palace, Leading League, kick-off 2pm
January 21 – Liverpool vs Chelsea, Premier League, kick-off 12.30pm