Reece James, captain of Chelsea, has undergone knee surgery and is expected to be out for up to 22 games over the next three months. The injury occurred last Friday, forcing him to miss Chelsea’s 5-1 Premier League victory over Bournemouth. The 26-year-old England international was sidelined for the following match as well.
Manager Xabi Alonso confirmed the injury during a press conference, stating that James will require a lengthy recovery period. The club has ruled out signing a replacement for James in January, confident he will return by then. Alonso emphasized that Moises Caicedo and Levi Colwill will step up to provide leadership in James’ absence.
The injury comes as a significant blow to Chelsea ahead of their upcoming fixtures. The team had already been without James for two matches, and his absence will test the depth of the squad. Alonso has outlined a contingency plan, with James’ understudies set to take on more responsibility. The club has not announced any immediate transfer activity to address the defensive gap.
James’ injury adds to a challenging season for Chelsea, with the team already facing multiple setbacks. The club’s medical team has confirmed the surgery was successful, and James is expected to follow a structured rehabilitation program. His return is anticipated in early January, but the exact timeline remains under review.
