Chelsea captain Reece James is set for an assessment on a hamstring injury picked up during his side’s 2-0 defeat to Everton.
The 24-year-old right-back was substituted 27 minutes into the game at Goodison Park, being replaced by Levi Colwill.
Manager Mauricio Pochettino confirmed that the England international will now undergo tests to determine the extent of the injury.
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He said: “He felt something in his hamstring. He’s injured but we don’t know the severity. I don’t like to talk too much, because we put excuses always, but that is the reality. A reality you cannot explain.
“He’s an important player, one of the best full-backs in the world. It’s really disappointing because after 15, 20 minutes when we were playing well, this type of circumstance makes us change because Malo Gusto is still recovering from his injury.
“It’s disappointing, because when you believe that you can build something with a player like him who should be important for us. We have to assess in the next couple of days what’s happening with his hamstring.”
Recurring injury issues have plagued James for the last two seasons. He made 24 appearances last season in all competitions with a knee injury leading to the defender missing the 2022 World Cup in Qatar last winter.
The defender, who was named Chelsea captain in the summer after Cesar Azpilicueta’s departure, sustained a hamstring injury on the opening day of the 2023-24 season, returning in November.
He has been limited to just eight appearances in all competitions this season.
Goals from Abdoulaye Doucoure and Lewis Dobbin secured three points for Everton, Chelsea’s seventh defeat of the season. Chelsea are next in action against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane next weekend.
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The Briefing: Everton 2-0 Chelsea: James injured again and no cutting edge - is Pochettino under pressure?
(Photo: Getty Images)
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