Liverpool injury update: Chelsea captain Reece James sends a strong message ahead of his potential return.
Reece James has made a confident statement as he rejoins Chelsea’s training squad ahead of their match against Liverpool.
The club captain, who has been sidelined since May due to injuries and a suspension, was seen training with his teammates earlier this week.
After facing setbacks in pre-season, James missed the start of the new season. He was suspended for the first three Premier League matches but could have been available for the Conference League play-offs if fit.
Now under Enzo Maresca, James is entering his second season as captain and is eager to recover from his challenging period.
Last season, he started just five Premier League matches, adding to a pattern of injury issues. This followed a difficult 2022/23 season where he only managed 16 appearances.
Nearly two years have passed since James was at his best, following a knee injury sustained under Thomas Tuchel.
His return to training is a morale booster for both him and the squad, bringing hope to Maresca and fans, according to reports from football.london.
After being photographed during training, James shared his progress on social media just days before the match at Anfield.
He also focused on his leg tattoo, which reads, “I just didn’t quit,” a personal mantra reflecting the emotional toll of his recovery.
The 24-year-old is now keen to put his challenges behind him and is ramping up preparations for his first appearance of the season.
Maesca will update on James’ fitness and the rest of the squad later this week before the Liverpool game, typically addressing the media on Fridays.
Additionally, Maesca will provide information on goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen, who was substituted during Denmark’s Under-21 match. The young goalkeeper, yet to start a Premier League game, is now uncertain for the Liverpool fixture.
“It’s crazy how unlucky he is,” said manager Steffen Hojer. “We weren’t planning to substitute him, but he wasn’t at his best after getting hit.
We decided to take him out to avoid any further issues with Chelsea.” He reassured that it’s not a major concern, as they didn’t want to take any risks.
