Chelsea’s injury troubles just keep coming. Reece James, the Blues’ captain and defensive leader, has been forced to withdraw from the England squad after picking up another knock.
The timing couldn’t be worse for club or country, as Thomas Tuchel’s side prepares for games against Wales and Latvia.
The full-back played the entire 90 minutes in Chelsea’s 2-1 win over Liverpool last weekend but apparently felt discomfort afterward.
Medical tests revealed the issue was serious enough to rule him out of international duty. England confirmed that James had “sustained an injury” during the match, with no details yet on how long he’ll be sidelined.
In his place, Manchester City youngster Nico O’Reilly has been called up to the senior England squad for the first time.
The 20-year-old midfielder-turned-left-back has impressed Pep Guardiola this season and now finds himself fast-tracked to the national team.
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A worrying pattern for Chelsea
This latest setback adds to an already crowded treatment room at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea were missing around 10 players — including suspended defender Trevoh Chalobah, who missed the Liverpool clash.
Levi Colwill (knee) and Liam Delap (hamstring) are both nursing muscle-related issues, while Dario Essugo (thigh) and Cole Palmer (groin) have also joined the treatment table.
Tosin Adarabioyo (calf) and Wesley Fofana (concussion) add to the defensive concerns, with Andrey Santos, Benoit Badiashile, and Josh Acheampong all dealing with minor knocks.
Now, with James potentially joining that list, the club’s medical department may need extra benches just to fit everyone in.
James’ fitness has been a recurring concern in recent seasons. The 25-year-old remains one of England’s best options at right-back, and Tuchel recently admitted he was “slightly ahead” of Trent Alexander-Arnold in the pecking order.
But injuries have repeatedly interrupted his momentum for both club and country.
Chelsea’s staff will use the international break to assess the extent of the damage. If the injury turns out to be minor, James could still return in time for the Blues’ next Premier League fixture against Nottingham Forest on October 18.
As for O’Reilly, the call-up is a dream come true. The young City star has been one of the surprises of the season, showing maturity beyond his years.
Whether he gets minutes or not, his inclusion signals England’s willingness to give youth a chance — and perhaps a gentle reminder that fresh legs might sometimes be the best medicine.
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