Joe Cole has described Reece James as a Ferrari and hopes the Chelsea captain can stay fit now that he’s returned from injury.
James has been plagued by injury issues over the last few seasons and spent nearly five months on the sidelines last season with a hamstring injury, which he underwent surgery on.
The-24-year-old featured prominently in pre-season, but then suffered another injury setback in training which kept him out until the middle of October.
Cole describes James as a Ferrari
James made his long awaited return to action as he surprisingly started in Chelsea’s defeat to Liverpool at Anfield last month.
Maresca then started the England international at left back in last weekend’s win against Newcastle, a decision he later explained as tactical.
Despite Malo Gusto doing a great job in his absence, Chelsea with a fully fit James are a stronger team and the club are being very careful with how they handle him as he builds his match fitness back up.
There’s no denying James’ talent but Maresca recently called his captain out over a lack of leadership and it will be interesting to see how he responds to the Italian’s comments.
Chelsea are looking to get back into the Champions League and keeping James fit will be a huge part that, and former Blue Cole has had his say on the Cobham graduate.
“It’s massively important for Chelsea that Reece James stays fit, but it’s also massively important for Reece himself,” he told Paddy Power as cited on X.com.
“I hold out hope for him and his body because they’ve been very smart with Wesley Fofana, giving him strict rules of only playing one game per week.
“I imagine Reece would be given that sort of routine. He’s a Ferrari and you can only take him out for a spin once a week.
“He’s a real athlete but the body is fragile so for him the longer he can keep playing a consistent number of games, his body will get stronger, and he’ll get more confidence.”
Having been left at home for the defeat to Newcastle on Wednesday night James will likely find himself back in the starting line-up for Sunday’s game against Manchester United at Old Trafford.