The news is in on Reece James’ knee injury and it’s not good for Chelsea — and especially for England.
James suffered the injury in a midweek Champions League win at AC Milan and after seeing a specialist, the in-form right back appears set to be sidelined for eight weeks.
“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,” a Chelsea statement read.
“After consultation between all parties, Reece will now undergo a rehabilitation program and is expected to be out for eight weeks.”
James was the presumed starting right back for England at the World Cup, which makes the knee injury especially ill-timed for the 22-year-old.
Eight weeks from James’ diagnosis would be in the middle of the quarterfinal stage. England’s World Cup opener against Iran is now just five weeks away.
Speaking after Chelsea’s win against Aston Villa on Sunday, head coach Graham Potter wouldn’t go as far as ruling James out for the World Cup, but admitted the defender’s chances didn’t look great.
“In terms of his involvement in the World Cup, I don’t know,” Potter said. “It will depend on how he recovers. He will give everything. I’m sure he will. But he is in a brace for four weeks and that slows everything down.”
Asked directly if James could be ruled out for the World Cup, Potter responded: “It wouldn’t be my place to predict what’s going to happen. He will be in a brace for four weeks. That’s all I know … Our job is just to help him in the short term now and get him back.”
The injury to James is especially troubling for England because his logical replacement Kyle Walker has just undergone a groin operation and is in doubt for the World Cup.
That leaves England, which will face Iran, the USMNT and Wales in Group B, looking at potential alternatives that include Kieran Trippier, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Ben White.
[lawrence-related id=8373,8356,8280]