Chelsea captain Reece James hasn’t completed 90 minutes this season (Photo: Getty)
Paul Merson has urged Reece James not to rush his injury recovery after the Chelsea captain underwent hamstring surgery.
James has been plagued by injuries all season, playing just 451 minutes of football, and is now set to be sidelined again for up to four months.
The right-back limped off during Chelsea’s defeat at Everton earlier in December with a recurrence of a previous hamstring strain and it has been decided that an operation is the best move forward.
The injury lay-off is not only a big blow for the club but it also means that the 24-year-old’s chances of making the England squad for Euro 2024 are now very low.
It was said that James was very reluctant to have surgery, with the defender desperate to get back on the pitch and help his team who have had a difficult start to life under Mauricio Pochettino.
But Merson says he must take his time when recovering from injuries if he is to maintain his fitness going forward.
‘It’s rather unfortunate that one of their [Chelsea’s] best players, Reece James, is now sidelined for a long time again,’ the Arsenal legend told Sportskeeda.
Paul Merson has urged James to be ‘patient’ with his injury recovery (Photo: Getty)
‘It’s a bit of an issue at this point. He seems to rushing himself back because he clearly loves playing football.
‘But with these injuries, one has to be patient. I feel for the guy, he is a very good footballer too. But he’s got to show some patience if he is to avoid these constant injury problems.’
James is one of nine players sidelined for the Blues’ trip to Wolves on Christmas Eve, with Enzo Fernandez, Levi Colwill and Noni Maduake all doubts as well.
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The home side are just three points behind the visitors in the league, and if results go against them there is a chance Chelsea will be in the bottom half of the table at Christmas.
Merson added: ‘I thought Wolves were poor last weekend against West Ham. That’s the worst they’ve looked all season. You never know what you’re going to get with Chelsea.
‘Despite Chelsea’s morale boosting performance against Newcastle in the Carabao Cup, I am going for a draw in this one as Chelsea are still suspect defensively. Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-2 Chelsea.’
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‘It’s a bit of an issue at this point.’