“We are happy” – Maresca denies concern about injury-prone star’s potential return to international games | OneFootball

After this weekend’s fixtures, players head off for an international break – we know, we can’t believe it either. At least it’s the last one until late spring.

There are some players guaranteed a callup, while others are pushing to get back into national team setups. One player in that category is Reece James, who hasn’t played for England since March 2023. After finally getting fit enough to feature regularly for Chelsea this season, calls for the defender to return to the Three Lions setup are growing.

In his press conference today, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca was asked how he would feel about a James call up, given the delicate load management the club are employing with him at the moment.

“No idea [about a callup], to be honest. We are happy with the way he is progressing with us in terms of physical condition and the way he is playing,” Maresca explained.

“I love my players joining the national team, it means it is good for the player, the club, the manager. I don’t know if he is going to be with the national team.”

Reece James features for England in March 2023.

Chelsea fans torn over James’ international status

Chelsea fans will always be understandably cautious with James. They’ve seen the best part of his career wiped away by injuries, and whether or not they’ve been caused by overuse, it’s certainly not something that helps.

Many Blues would happily see James give up international football entirely if it would help him stay fit at club level. But there are others who, like Maresca, would like to see him thriving and playing with England again too.

This break may come too soon for James and perhaps for Carsley to trust him, but if he stays fit there will certainly be big pressure by the time we get to the next break.