Reece James is ruled out of the 2022 World Cup as Chelsea confirms how long he will be ruled out of action following his injury. James picked up an ankle injury in Chelsea’s 2-0 victory over AC Milan in the Champions League.
Reece James’ 2022 World Cup hopes is under the wires as Chelsea has officially released a statement to stem speculations on his possible return date.
The statement also confirms that Reece James visited a specialist this weekend to ascertain the extent of the injury and duration of treatment before he could possibly return to action.
The statement on the club’s website reads:
“Following the knee injury sustained in our away match against AC Milan, Reece has received treatment from the Chelsea medical department and visited a specialist this weekend.
“After consultation between all parties, Reece will now undergo a rehabilitation programme and is expected to be out for eight weeks.”
An eight weeks return date means that James will miss out on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, which kicks off on November 20.
The North London club released the statement on October 15. This means that Reece James will only return to action on December 10.
He will miss the remaining Premier League matches before the 2022 World Cup.
Chelsea’s statement is coming as a massive blow to Gareth Southgate’s hope of including the 23-year-old right-back in his defense options in his World Cup squad.
James is the latest casualty added to England’s worsening injury crisis in the defense department.
The likes of Kyle Walker of Manchester City and Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool are all battling injuries, and the likelihood of making it to the World Cup is very slim.
Apart from the Three Lions Squad, Chelsea will miss the in-form right-back in the remaining Premier League matches.
It was an attempt to expedite actions towards an early return to action that Reece James was made to visit a specialist, as Graham Potter confirmed.
As things stand, the Blues will have to shuffle up the squad to replace James in their Premier League games until he returns to action in December 10.
In the England squad, there are suggestions that Gareth Southgate may likely go for Newcastle’s Kieran Trippier as a potential replacement for Reece James in the Three Lions’ World Cup squad.
FA Reacts To Chelsea Approach To The Injury Crisis Of Reece James
According to reports, the English FA have reacted to Chelsea’s approach to the injury of Reece James.
The FA are reportedly unhappy with the decision by Chelsea to keep Reece James in Milan given the severity of the injury.
After the injury, Graham Potter had reportedly permitted Reece James to spend a day off with his teammates in Milan instead of returning to London immediately for treatment.
FA staff have reportedly queried the decision to allow James spend a day in Milan instead of being flown to London immediately for treatment.
Also, the condition under which James returned to London after spending a day off with teammate was equally unacceptable to the FA.
According to reports, Reece James was flown back home the next day without medical support and a brace, although he had extra leg space in the easy Jet.
After arriving in London, it was confirmed that he had sustained a ligament injury and would be ruled out of the World Cup.
It is apparent that FA’s concern over Reece James’ injury is because he will now miss out on the 2022 World Cup which is a big blow to the defense department of the Three Lions of England.
