Reece James admits that 2022 has been his “toughest year to date” but Chelsea hope he will be ready to return to action by the end of January.
James, who missed the World Cup due to injury earlier this year, looked distraught as he received treatment on the same knee he injured in October, during Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Bournemouth on Tuesday.
Blues boss Graham Potter had started James and planned to give him 60 minutes at Stamford Bridge on his return from injury, insisting pre-game that he was “in a good place” after the “brutal” experience of being sidelined from the finals in Qatar. But he was substituted seven minutes into the second half, and left Chelsea bracing themselves that the Three Lions ace could be set for another extended period on the sidelines.
James, 23, posted on social media on Wednesday: “2022 has been the toughest year to date. I just wanted to thank you all for the support this year, none of it has gone unnoticed.
“It’s naturally effected me mentally, but life is about dealing with the hand you’ve been dealt and that’s what I’m currently tryna do. I hope your end of year is filled with peace, joy and happiness.
“Love you all, catch you next year.”
However, thankfully for Chelsea, scans on Wednesday morning showed that James' injury is not as bad as first feared.
Rather than months on the sidelines, it is hoped it will instead be a matter of weeks, with the Blues optimistic that he could be back in first-team action before the beginning of February.
That is unlikely to dissuade them from moving for a new right-back in January however, with a move for Celtic's Josip Juranovic mooted.
Speaking after the win, Potter had admitted the issue that had flared up was in the same area as his previous knee problem.
He said: “He felt something there and we will have to find out the extent of it and keep our fingers crossed. He’s disappointed, of course he is. At the moment we are hoping it isn’t as bad.
“He’s been really disappointed to miss the World Cup, of course. It was a huge blow to him. You could see today his quality and what he brings to the team.
“He’s had to deal with the injury and he’s done that well. The plan was to play 60 minutes today so now he’s disappointed, of course.
“We hope it’s not as bad as it was and he can have a speedy recovery.”
Chelsea had cruised into a 2-0 lead after just 24 minutes through goals from Kai Havertz and Mason Mount.
But after James went off, seven minutes into the second half, Bournemouth threatened to get back into the match.
“Reece was playing well and him going off probably affects the stadium, the team,” added Potter. “There’s going to be concern, worry, and we wanted to hold onto the win.
“He is a world-class player. You see it from the outside but not until you work with him you see how good he is. He could play in any team in the world, and any team would miss him.”
