Latest Chelsea injury news as 10 miss Wrexham with Reece James update and Wesley Fofana blow
Chelsea were dealt a great blow as they travelled to America for their pre-season tour this summer. Ahead of matches against Brighton, Wrexham, Fulham and Borussia Dortmund it was over to Mauricio Pochettino to pick an initial squad for their fixtures and training.
In a 29-man group that included 15 players yet to make their debut for the club and a baby-faced vibe to the whole thing, Pochettino went with youth and hunger rather than experience. Among a surprising but refreshing squad, academy graduates Alfie Gilchrist, Bashir Humphreys, Jamie Cumming, Eddie Beach and Bashir Humphreys all got the nod.
There were notable exceptions as well with senior trio Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Hakim Ziyech and Romelu Lukaku all left out to find moves away from Stamford Bridge. Callum Hudson-Odoi was also excluded with the aim of securing a permanent deal for him as well. Ethan Ampadu was also left out as he closes in on a move to Leeds.
It was the first team players not present in the list that worried most though. Reece James was left off due to an illness on the morning of the flight. He is expected to meet up with his teammates later in the week but also has a knee injury to recover from.
football.london understands that the 23-year-old had a precautionary scan after feeling pain in the knee during training at Cobham last week. Following on from a season in which he played no part in matches after the Champions League quarter-final second leg defeat to Real Madrid, a game in-which he was visibly below his physical best, James' fitness is a concern.
Pochettino demands more from his players than other Chelsea bosses have when it comes to preparation, energy and workrate. James has struggled to remain fit over the past two seasons,
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