Chelsea have been sent a message regarding Reece James' injury against Bournemouth. The 23-year-old started the match at Stamford Bridge, his first competitive outing since October, but had to be taken off with injury on the hour mark.
James missed the final four weeks of the pre-World Cup season with injury after damaging his knee against AC Milan and played no part in Qatar after being left out of the England squad. Instead, he focused on recovering in time to return to action when the Premier League was back.
That was exactly what happened as he took his familiar place at right-back. Until he was forced to go off James showed just why Chelsea hadn't lost under Potter with him playing, offering balance, speed and tempo to the play. After Cesar Azpilicueta came on most of that went and the Blues saw out a 2-0 win.
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James' record in recent seasons hasn't been good, missing a chunk of last term with injury too, also seeing a major downturn in the team's form. His inclusion from the outset has since been picked up on, with a cryptic message being posted by James' private performance coach James Ralph on Instagram.
Ralph, who runs jr_athletesedge and also works with Marc Cucurella and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, was at the game having been given tickets by Cucurella, but posted a message after the match, writing, “I need to bite my tongue despite having ALOT to say…” following his client's injury. The post on his story has since been taken down the morning after the match.
In a friendly played last week against Brentford James played just over an hour before being rested and Potter admitted that his minutes needed managing upon his return, saying: "The plan was for him to not play 90 tonight, the plan was for him to play 60/65 minutes.We just have to hope it's not as bad as it was and that he can get on a speedy recovery."
He also added: "No, not really [an update]. Too soon, but it's in the same area so it's a concern. We'll see in the next 24 or 48 hours. It's too soon at the moment. But the action to chop, he felt something there. We have to keep our fingers crossed at the moment.
"He's disappointed. Of course he is. At the moment, we're just hoping it's not as bad and we keep our fingers crossed."
The manager also explained James' importance, explaining: "Reece was playing well and he's a top player. As much as people believe we think coaches are magicians, believe you me when Reece is playing it makes it much easier."
Wesley Fofana, who also had a setback in the week following an injury of his own during the Brentford friendly, sent James a message on Instagram too, this one of support. He wrote: "My bro i am with you stay strong. You will come back more stronger."
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