Chelsea’s James out for three months after knee surgery

Chelsea's captain, Reece James, will be sidelined for a period of three months following knee surgery. The 26-year-old defender sustained the injury during training prior to Chelsea's match against Bournemouth, which resulted in a 5-1 victory. Consequently, James underwent surgery to address the issue. He is currently in the process of rehabilitation under the guidance of Chelsea's medical team, with no specific timeline provided for his return to action.

Chelsea is set to face Everton in the Premier League shortly, followed by matches against London rivals Tottenham and Manchester United. In between these games, Chelsea will participate in a Carabao Cup contest against Liverpool. These fixtures are situated amidst a challenging sequence of matches. James has encountered recurring injuries over recent seasons, which have forced him to miss various international tournaments for England since the 2022 World Cup held in Qatar.

In the 2022 World Cup, his injury history was less problematic, allowing him to contribute significantly to England's campaign. England ultimately reached the semi-finals and claimed the bronze medal. However, James chose to withdraw from England's subsequent international break. The subsequent international break commences in November, with England facing Croatia at Wembley Stadium.