'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca has delivered an update on the fitness of club captain Reece James ahead of the game against West Ham United on September 21. The English defender has yet to feature for the Blues this season, having picked up a hamstring injury in pre-season.
Regarded by many as one of the best right-backs in Europe, James has struggled to show what he is capable of in recent years. The 24-year-old has an ongoing battle with injuries, and his hamstring has proven to be his proverbial Achilles heel so far in his career.
Enzo Maresca delivered the news of the continued absence of the right-back, who had initially been expected to be back fit this month. The manager spoke about him in his pre-match press conference, revealing that he has no idea when James will return to fitness.
He said via Goal:
"His injury is a bit delayed. The most important thing is players come back when they are 100% fit. Reece is still out. Unfortunately, we don't have an idea at the moment [when he’ll be back]. In this case, he’s been very unlucky.”
Reece James underwent hamstring surgery in December 2023, hoping to put an end to the incessant hamstring troubles he faced in his career. He played only 10 league matches for Chelsea in the 2023-24 season and managed just 16 in the previous season.
James re-injured his hamstring playing in the last game of the Blues' pre-season tour of the USA, against Real Madrid. He featured in all but one of the pre-season games, and Maresca will hope to have his captain back to full fitness at the earliest opportunity.
Chelsea duo set to feature in West Ham clash
Chelsea are set to have the duo of Enzo Fernandez and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall back for their Premier League clash against West Ham United at the London Stadium. Both players didn't appear in the game against Bournemouth, having each suffered a bout of illness.
In the first game following the international break, Maresca's side missed some key stars, including midfielders Fernandez and Dewsbury-Hall. During his press conference before the West Ham game, he confirmed that both players will feature against the Hammers.
He said (via Absolute Chelsea):
"Enzo is back for this match, Kiernan will be back too."
Argentine midfielder Enzo Fernandez is one of the club's captains, having worn the armband in the absence of Reece James this season. Dewsbury-Hall, on the other hand, is still finding his feet at Stamford Bridge, having joined Chelsea for a reported £30 million from Leicester City this summer.
