Why Chelsea won’t mind missing key player today against Leicester | OneFootball

There was so much to talk about in the Chelsea lineup today that we barely noticed that captain Reece James wasn’t in the squad at all.

Numerous reporters at the ground including Nizaar Kinsella are reporting that it’s nothing serious – just an illness.

“Reece James is out of the matchday squad due to illness. He reported a fever and temperature and was checked by the doctor this morning,” the BBC’s reporter Tweeted just now.

Malo Gusto picked up an injury in Thursday night’s win over Copenhagen, meaning he misses out today too. Wesley Fofana returns to the team at right back for his first game since December. It’s a big test for him, as he’s not played a minute since and will be in a demanding role. Expect him to tuck in and play narrow as Trevoh Chalobah did in midweek, with Marc Cucurella down the left providing the width.

The Reece James return workout plan

Reece James celebrates his goal for Chelsea against Copenhagen. (Photo by Patrik Lundin/Getty Images)

It’s a blow to not have Reece available today, of course. But actually, if he misses a game, today would be one that rather suits us.

We can beat Leicester without him, no problem. And after playing 90 minutes on Thursday and 90 minutes last week against Southampton, it’s wise to give him a break.

The question is how we treat him next week when we have another Thursday – Sunday match lineup. Both are big games, and in an ideal world we’d have James start both. We need to get the job done against Copenhagen in the second leg, then it’s a big Premier League game against Derby.

Will he finally be considered ready for that after a long slow build up since his return and a week’s rest since his last game? We will find out next week.