Chelsea: Reece James injury may prove a blessing in disguise for Enzo Maresca | OneFootball

England pull-out and subsequent rest could be beneficial in the long run

Reece James is enjoying a prolonged spell of fitness and is in brilliant form

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Reece James has been a central figure of Thomas Tuchel’s England tenure, but his absence from this month’s camp is no bad thing for club or country. In fact, it may come to be a blessing in disguise.

But in enjoying what is currently a rare, prolonged period without suffering a serious injury, James has been able to play a more significant role for Chelsea since Enzo Maresca took over last summer. And for England he is looking every bit the frontrunner to start at right-back at next summer’s World Cup.

But while that may appear just the latest setback for a player who, according to one football data site, has missed 748 days and 145 games due to 21 different injuries since 2019, this quiet fortnight could instead play a crucial role in managing his load and allowing the Chelsea captain to steer clear of snags and issues later into what promises to be a long and arduous season.

James withdrew from the England squad due to a minor injury issue

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The issue is not a serious one and Chelsea will hope James is fit for their trip to Nottingham Forest on Saturday, a game for which they are already without key first-team players, including, in all likelihood, the talismanic Cole Palmer, whose groin issue is expected to keep him out until November.

Chelsea are in the throes of the busiest part of their season, fighting across three fronts in the Premier League, Champions League group phase and the Carabao Cup.

James is not only Chelsea's captain but also their main leader by example, particularly in Palmer’s absence, putting in a tireless showing every time he takes to the pitch, delivering assists from the right as well as dogged defending at the other end of the pitch, using his outstanding physicality.

He has kicked on again this season, reaching levels similar to when he and Ben Chilwell were flying full-backs under Tuchel in the Champions League-winning season in 2020-21.

No surprise, given that was also a long spell uninterrupted by injury.

Chelsea headed into the international break on an almighty high, victorious over champions Liverpool courtesy of teenager Estevao’s stoppage-time winner at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca’s squad had been decimated by injuries in the lead-up and Josh Acheampong and Benoit Badiashile suffered cramp in the game itself, meaning the Blues finished with a back four comprised entirely of nominal full-backs. James was trusted in the centre of defence.

James starred in the 2-1 win over Liverpool before the international break

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Turning his hand to a role he had no experience in, James became Chelsea’s last line of defence, their sweeper, in effect, and was unsurprisingly very effective at it, nipping in to avoid Liverpool the chance to nick a winner or, after Estevao’s goal, a late leveller.

James, like Chelsea, stood strong. His importance to the Premier League’s youngest team was demonstrated perfectly.

James is a far more capable footballer and a much more consistent performer than his team-mate and fellow right-back Malo Gusto. But it is necessary that Chelsea should have Gusto as an alternative, because James is not a player who can play three games a week over many months and be confident of avoiding injury by doing so.

Chelsea, as they always have, are managing him carefully, knowing he will be a crucial player when the going gets tough in the Champions League and the Premier League season progresses.

And he has emerged, too, as the likely starter for England next summer: “slightly ahead” of Real Madrid’s Trent Alexander-Arnold in the pecking order, according to Tuchel. It would be James’s first major tournament as England’s first-choice right-back.

But a lot must first go right - or, rather, continue going right - to make that a reality.

His next appearance for Chelsea will be his 200th, and he is indisputably one of their most important players. Hence why managing his fitness is so important. And why his absence from England duty this month has the makings of proving a very welcome one.