Chelsea Manager Enzo Maresca decision will be made, REECE JAMES has been named as one of the few players that will be sold this January

Chelsea captain Reece James has spread some holiday cheer by wishing fans a “Merry Christmas” on social media, coinciding with his return to first-team training. The 23-year-old (not 25) has been sidelined for nine consecutive games across all competitions due to a recurring hamstring issue.

James initially suffered a similar injury during Chelsea’s pre-season tour of the USA, causing him to miss the team’s first 11 games. He made his highly anticipated comeback in a 2-1 Premier League loss to Liverpool.

Chelsea’s assistant coach, Enzo Maresca, confirmed James’ return to training in a pre-match press conference before the team’s 0-0 draw with Everton. Maresca stated that James would gradually reintegrate into the team, starting with partial participation in training sessions.
Chelsea captain Reece James has recently returned to first-team training following a prolonged absence due to a recurring hamstring injury. The 25-year-old defender had been sidelined for nine consecutive matches across all competitions. His return was confirmed by assistant coach Enzo Maresca, who emphasized a cautious approach to reintegrating James into the squad. Maresca stated, “Reece [James] will finally start with us for part of the session. Slowly, slowly, he will be back.”

Despite his return to training, James did not feature in Chelsea’s recent 2-0 defeat to Ipswich Town on December 30, 2024. Maresca explained that James was included in the squad but was not yet ready to participate in the match.

James has been plagued by injuries over the past year, undergoing hamstring surgery in December 2023. His latest setback occurred in November 2024, limiting his appearances this season to just four matches.

In his absence, Chelsea has experienced mixed results. The team suffered a 2-1 loss to Fulham on December 26, 2024, followed by the aforementioned defeat to Ipswich Town. They managed a 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace on January 4, 2025, and a 2-2 draw with AFC Bournemouth on January 14, 2025. A 3-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on January 20, 2025, provided a positive note before a 3-1 loss to Manchester City on January 25, 2025. Most recently, Chelsea secured a 2-1 win against West Ham United on February 3, 2025.

As James continues his rehabilitation, Chelsea’s coaching staff remains committed to ensuring his full recovery before reintroducing him to competitive play.