Chelsea have been handed a major boost after Reece James was named in the squad to take on Servette in the first leg of the Europa Conference League play-off on Thursday.
James, who is suspended for the first three games of the Premier League season had picked up a minor hamstring injury in training following the club’s return from their pre-season tour of America.
The 24-year-old has been plagued by injury issues and spent almost five months sidelined with a hamstring injury last season, which he underwent surgery on.
James back in Chelsea squad.
It’s a big season for James who will once again captain his boyhood club and he really needs to stay fit for as much of the season as possible despite Chelsea having a capable deputy in Malo Gusto.
After hearing news of James’ minor setback fans wouldn’t have expected to see him in action until the game against Bournemouth on September 14th.
However, in a major boost to everyone associated with the club James was named in the squad to take on Swiss side Servette on Thursday evening.
Chelsea's Europa Conference League squad for Servette has Sterling, Tosin, Chilwell and Wesley Fofana all missing. James is back from a minor hamstring issue. Squad is not for the #UEL at large.
Sanchez, Jorgensen, Bettinelli; Disasi, Cucurellam, Badiashile, James, Gusto, Veiga;… pic.twitter.com/2XcVZqebBs
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) August 20, 2024
It remains to be seen if James will feature but it’s great to see him once again back in the Chelsea squad and this game would provide a perfect opportunity for the right back to get some competitive minutes in the tank and continue to build his fitness and match sharpness.
James was limited to just 11 appearances last season under Mauricio Pochettino and he will need to improve on that under Enzo Maresca.
The England international is a genuine game changer for the Blues when fully fit and despite the brilliance of Gusto there are few better right backs in world football than James when he is performing to the best of his ability.
After the first leg against Servette the Blues travel to Wolves on Sunday before the return leg in Switzerland next Thursday.
