Reece James pulls out of England squad after injury setback | OneFootball

Chelsea defender Reece James has withdrawn from the England squad after picking up an injury in the weekend clash against Liverpool.

The 25-year-old sustained the issue during Chelsea’s 2-1 victory at Stamford Bridge and will now miss the upcoming international fixtures.

England confirmed the news through an official statement on their website on Monday morning.

Tuchel’s faith in James continues

England manager Thomas Tuchel has shown great belief in Reece James.

Tuchel brought him back into the squad shortly after assuming the role, praising his versatility and consistency.

James had been enjoying a steady run of games this season after a long period of injury troubles that disrupted his progress in recent years.

He has been one of Chelsea’s key players under boss Enzo Maresca. He has featured both as a full-back and in midfield, depending on the system used by the Italian coach.

Tuchel, who managed James during his time at Chelsea, also relied heavily on the defender when they won the Champions League in 2021.

The withdrawal will come as a disappointment to both Tuchel and the player, who had been eager to make his mark again at international level.

Manchester City youngster Nico O’Reilly has been called up to the senior England squad to replace James.

The 20-year-old defender moves up from the Under-21 side after impressing with his performances this season.

His inclusion in the senior squad marks another significant step in his development and rewards his strong displays for club and country.