Reece James is devastated after he failed to make England 2022 World Cup squad which England manager Gareth Southgate announced earlier today, November 10, 2022.
Reece James got frustrated after he failed to make Gareth Southgate’s 26-man list after he picked up an ankle injury and has been battling for a speedy recovery against time.
Reece James was forced to limped off the pitch in Chelsea’s Champions League clash against AC Milan at the San Siro.
Contrary to initial thoughts on the severity of the injury, it was confirmed that Reece James sustained ligament damage in the course of the injury after scan and will miss the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Meanwhile, the Chelsea right-back, who was a top choice defender for Southgate in the 2022 World Cup, was still optimistic of making Gareth Southgate’s squad.
He had reportedly raced against time to ensure speedy recovery and join the squad. However, it all turn out the opposite with few days to the naming of the squad.
Some pundits say that Southgate may repeat his 2022 Euros bravery by deciding to gamble and include the right-back despite his injury – a step he took with Harry Maguire in Euros 2021.
However, it was later confirmed that Southgate has spoken with injured Three Lions players ahead of his World Cup squad announcement, and Reece James would not make the squad.
Reece James broke his silence after being left out of the World Cup, expressing his disappointment.
Reece James took to his social media handle to express his feelings, stating that he is devastated following his inability to make it to the World Cup.
He wrote on his Twitter handle, “Devastated.
“The minute I injured my knee, I knew the turn around to make the World Cup would be tight, but I always felt it was possible.”
Despite the drastic turn in his World Cup hopes after the injury, he still hope to make the squad by working harder to ensure speedy recovery.
“I’ve worked harder than I ever thought I could to give myself the best chance of going and I truly believed I could help the team”, he added.
“I appreciate there was risk on both sides but it was one I was willing to take.
“Good luck to the boys. I’ll be back soon. Stay safe & sending love.”
A positive scan on Monday increased the defender’s belief he could be back for the knockout stages of the Carabao Cup — and James ran on grass at Chelsea’s Cobham base for the first time since his surgery.
But Southgate rang the Blues ace to deliver the bad news in person, telling him he could not afford to take a risk on his fitness.
Sources close to Reece James confirmed that he was confident of returning to full fitness in December, but Gareth was not ready for the gamble which turned out devastating for the youngster.
James suffered his injury against AC Milan on October 11 and was always facing a tough race.
Southgate has named his 26-man squad for the tournament, with England kicking off the World Cup campaign against Iran on November 21 and facing a potential second-round tie on December 4.
They are tipped to qualify from their group but must face a tough test in the knockout rounds against other top teams who are clear favorites to win the competition.
