Reece James suffers another hamstring injury | OneFootball

Chelsea captain Reece James (26) faces another spell on the sidelines after suffering a fresh hamstring injury just days after committing his long-term future to the club, Sky Sports has reported.

The 26-year-old right-back, who last week signed a new six-year contract at Stamford Bridge, felt the problem during Chelsea’s recent defeat by Newcastle United. It represents the tenth hamstring injury of his career since December 2020 and comes at a delicate stage of the season for head coach Liam Rosenior and his side.

Chelsea have slipped to sixth in the Premier League after a difficult run of form and now face a daunting task in Europe, attempting to overturn a heavy deficit against Paris Saint‑Germain in the UEFA Champions League.

Rosenior confirmed James will miss the crucial second leg. “Reece felt something in his hamstring against Newcastle,” he said. “It’s a really frustrating and disappointing one for us. With a hamstring injury it’s never great, and we’ll scan him to understand the full extent.”

James had spoken optimistically only days earlier after extending his contract, reflecting on a difficult injury history. “I’ve come through two or three years of struggles and setbacks,” he said. “I’m in a really good place at the moment.”

That optimism has now been interrupted once again. For Chelsea, the absence of their captain removes not only a key defender but also one of the squad’s most influential leaders at a pivotal moment in the campaign.

GFN | Finn Entwistle