Chelsea make huge Reece James surgery decision as Mauricio Pochettino faces injury reality

Chelsea defender Reece James is set to miss at least three to four months of action as he seeks surgery in Finland for his hamstring injury.

The 24-year-old became club captain after the arrival of Mauricio Pochettino. However, an injury after the first game of the season was indicative of a man who has lacked the fitness rub of the green in recent years.

Last season, James only made 16 Premier League appearances. This was a significant drop on the season before where he featured in 26 league matches, despite also having troublesome injuries to contend with.

According to Sami Mokbel and the Daily Mail, James is now set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines as he bids to beat his injury hell. There had been a reluctance to undergo the surgery route but it has become a more inevitable option because of the recurrent nature of the problem.

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James will hope that surgery allows him to finish the season playing for Chelsea before linking up with the England squad for Euro 2024. But it is unlikely that he will be available for England’s friendlies in March, potentially putting his place at the European Championships in jeopardy.

News of a lengthy absence will be a big blow to Pochettino and Gareth Southgate, who both greatly admire the right-back. James' prowess going forward has been particularly lauded over seasons gone by but he has never been able to fully establish himself as the best full back in England because of his lack of minutes on the pitch.

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