Reece James Suffers New Hamstring Injury Ahead New Season

Chelsea right-back Reece James has suffered a setback ahead of the new season after suffering a new hamstring injury.

The New York Times reported that James felt some discomfort during training at Cobham this week after the team had returned from their pre-season tour of USA.

He was replaced by Wesley Fofana with 20 minutes left into Chelsea’s final pre-season friendly of the tour against Real Madrid on Tuesday night.

James has been enjoying a positive summer up until now having started all five of Chelsea’s pre-season friendlies but he has already been ruled out of their final warm-up match against Inter Milan at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

The hamstring injury suffered by the 24-year-old has been described by sources at the club, speaking anonymously to the The Athletic to protect relationships, as minor.

Chelsea will thread with care and can afford to take their time with his recovery because he is suspended for the first three games of the season.

Malo Gusto, who enjoyed a fine 2023-24, was already being earmarked to play in his absence.

James was given a second red card of the campaign against Brighton & Hove Albion in their penultimate match of last season, which means he was given an automatic four-game ban.

It does, however, put his chances of facing Braga or Servette in Chelsea’s two-legged UEFA Conference League play-off later this month in major doubt. The first leg is on August 22 with the second leg on August 29.