Insider has “positive” injury news that is still hard for Chelsea fans to swallow | OneFootball

We wanted an update on Reece James’ hamstring injury from Enzo Maresca in last night’s Conference League press conference, but in the end the manager was very vague about how severe the issue was.

He simply the player was getting better “day by day,” deliberating avoiding speculating how many days it would be before the club captain was ready for action.

Luckily Matt Law was on hand today to give a comprehensive update on the full back, claiming that he’s unlikely to be fit until January, and that’s been followed up by Ben Jacobs, who has added yet more detail.

We knew it was a hamstring injury, and there were fears that the surgery the defender had on that part of his body had failed him. However, it seems that that’s not the case:

“The scan is viewed as largely positive in terms of how severe it could have been, and it must be stressed that the injury is not a recurrence, but a new hamstring injury – in which James is not expected to need surgery,” Jacobs wrote for GiveMeSport.

Well, it’s certainly good news that he doesn’t need surgery. And we can see the logic behind the idea that it’s “good” that it’s a new hamstring injury rather than a recurrence of an old one. But really, isn’t hurting a different part just as bad (and in some ways worse) than reinjuring the same part? Would you rather get a second flat on a tyre that was repaired or have two tyres which have had a flat each?

Reece James in full team training for Chelsea at Cobham.

James’ mindset also fragile

After so many injuries, recoveries, surgeries and relapses, James must be in a pretty bad place mentally. Jacobs adds that Chelsea “are doing all they can to support [his] recovery on both a physical and mental basis,” and we just have to hope that works.