Reece James is not in Chelsea’s squad to face Southampton later today, Simon Johnson revealed in his column for The Athletic today.
But it’s not cause for concern – just a rest for the full back.
It was to be expected – and indeed we wrote a piece to that effect earlier today. And indeed it’s been premeditated to the point of leaking the night before.
We might have anticipated James to be on the bench, but leaving him out entirely just means he’s guaranteed a full game off, meaning he will be in perfect shape for the essential return leg against Dortmund.
Ben Chilwell is in a similar situation, having only made his first start in midweek. We can see him getting another hour tomorrow, allowing at least one of our two first choice full backs in the team, but equally we can imagine him starting on the bench and getting some action in the second half if he’s needed.