Reece James posts update to Chelsea fans as new signing days away
Chelsea edged Palmeiras 2-1 to reach the semi-finals of the Club World Cup despite not being at full strength.
Enzo Maresca is well placed to lead Chelsea to back-to-back finals at the end of his maiden season at Stamford Bridge, as the Blues prepare to face another Brazilian side in the Club World Cup semi-finals.
Captained by former Chelsea centre-back Thiago Silva, Fluminense await Maresca’s side in the last four after beating Al-Hilal 2-1 in their quarter-final, following the Saudi side’s shock win over Manchester City.
Victory over Fluminense will set up a decider against either Real Madrid or Champions League winners PSG in FIFA’s revamped tournament, but Chelsea needed a stroke of luck to win their own last eight tie.
Willian Estevao will become a Chelsea player in a matter of days, but his equaliser after Cole Palmer’s first-half opener looked set to force extra time until an own-goal from Palmeiras goalkeeper Weverton sent Chelsea through.
James to return vs Fluminense after Chelsea absence
Chelsea’s narrow victory over Palmeiras came with several Blues players confined to the sidelines with injury, including an illness to new signing Jamie Gittens following his move from Borussia Dortmund.
Reece James was one of Chelsea’s absentees against Palmeiras after experiencing physical discomfort after their 4-1 victory over Benfica in the last 16, a match in which James had curled home a free-kick.
James has been absent very often in recent years and his 27 appearances in all competitions before the Club World Cup were the most he’d made in three seasons, with new injuries seemingly never far away.
However, James posted on his Instagram story (5 July) with a message to Chelsea fans concerning his fitness, which said: “I’m fit and well. See you on Tuesday.”
James in race against time to salvage Chelsea career
Football Insider Verdict
James was far from the only absentee from Chelsea’s win over Palmeiras, with Benoit Badiashile, Omari Kellyman and Wesley Fofana all unlikely to appear in the remainder of their Club World Cup campaign.
Malo Gusto and academy product Josh Acheampong are Maresca’s only other options to play right-back at present, but Geovany Quenda’s arrival from Sporting CP next summer could certainly cause a stir.
The 18-year-old wing-back’s signing was agreed almost 18 months in advance, and the writing may be on the wall for James’ long-term prospects if he suffers yet another season disrupted by injuries.