Chelsea dealt huge injury blow ahead of PSG clash as Reece James misses out with a hamstring problem | OneFootball

Chelsea’s hopes of staging a remarkable Champions League comeback have suffered a major blow, with captain Reece James expected to miss Tuesday’s second-leg clash against Paris Saint-Germain, according to The Athletic.

Despite playing the full 90 minutes in Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Newcastle United, the 26-year-old was a notable absentee from Chelsea’s open training session at Cobham on Monday morning.

The news is a cruel irony for the 26-year-old, who only last Friday committed his long-term future to Chelsea with a contract extension through to 2032.

After a season marked by consistent availability and career-best fitness management, the recurrence of his hamstring issues is a devastating setback at a critical juncture of the campaign.

James will not feature for England during the March international break, but the Chelsea skipper will hope to return before the season ends to stake his claim for a place in the 2026 World Cup squad.

Trailing 5-2 after a chaotic first leg, Chelsea already face a mountain to climb on Tuesday—now made steeper by James’s absence.

After coming from behind twice in Paris through Malo Gusto and Enzo Fernandez, a late Khvicha Kvaratskhelia brace has left the Blues needing a miracle on home turf.

On a positive note, Brazilian starlet Estevao Willian has returned to training.

The teenager has missed the last four weeks with a muscle injury, and while Liam Rosenior has been cautious about rushing him back, his presence in training suggests an impact role from the bench could be on the cards.