Chelsea hope for positive news after Reece James injury scare

Chelsea defender Reece James has had a scan on his knee at the start of their pre-season preparations this week.

According to the Evening Standard, the move was only precautionary. Chelsea must check on the defender before the trip to the United States and they are hoping for positive news.

The 23-year-old suffered an injury-riddled 2022/23 campaign, missing half of Chelsea’s games through different injuries.

James will hope to put those injury woes behind him and become an integral piece for Mauricio Pochettino’s side ahead of the new season. 

The Cobham Academy graduate will have new signing Malo Gusto breathing down his neck for a place in the starting XI.

Pochettino will use Chelsea’s pre-season friendlies against Wrexham, Brighton & Hove Albion, Fulham and Newcastle United to get his players up to the required fitness levels.

The gruelling three-week tour will help the club prepare for their opening Premier League fixture against Liverpool.

Chelsea’s priority this summer transfer window was to reduce their bloated squad, and they have done so quickly. 

Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Kai Havertz, Mateo Kovacic, Dujon Sterling, Christian Pulisic, Cesar Azpilicueta and Malang Sarr have left the club.

Abdul Baba Rahman, Kalidou Koulibaly, Edouard Mendy, N’Golo Kante and Tiemoue Bakayoko have also been shipped out.

However, the Blues still have some players they need to offload including Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Romelu Lukaku, Hakim Ziyech and Callum Hudson-Odoi.

Pochettino must also decide what to do with players such as Ethan Ampadu. The Welshman is returning from a loan spell in Serie A, and there is no decision about his future. 

Marc Cucurella has been linked with a departure from Chelsea as they are well-stacked at left-back, and he had a poor season. 

The Blues must sort these issues ahead of the upcoming campaign.