Reece James Breaks Silence After News Revealed the Chelsea Defender Could Miss the World Cup for England

Reece James Breaks Silence After News Revealed the Chelsea Defender Could Miss the World Cup for England

Edwin Kiplagat
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:14 PM
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  • Chelsea right-back Reece James has issued a message of defiance after news revealed he could miss the World Cup due to a knee injury
  • James was injured during Chelsea's Champions League clash against AC Milan last Tuesday
  • The club revealed that he will be sidelined for two months, meaning he may not be fit for England's opening match in Qatar

Chelsea defender Reece James is adamant that he will be ready for the upcoming 2022 World Cup in Qatar after news revealed the Chelsea defender would be sidelined for two months.

With the World Cup just over two months away, the English right-back is facing a race against time to be fit for football's biggest tournament.

Reece James, Premier League, Champions League, England, 2022 World Cup Qatar
Reece James has two goals and two assists in 11 appearances for Chelsea this season. Photo by Chris Lee.
Source: Getty Images

James has been outstanding for Chelsea this season, and two months out will surely hit the Blues has, considering they've got some huge matches coming up.

The 22-year-old picked up the injury during Chelsea's Champions League clash at San Siro against AC Milan. The club expected it to be a minor problem, but scans revealed it was worse.

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According to Chelsea, the defender is set to be out for two months.

Reece has received treatment from the Chelsea medical department and visited a specialist this weekend. After consultation between all parties, Reece will now undergo a rehabilitation programme and is expected to be out for eight weeks.

Reece James speaks after disappointing injury news

The defender has been in phenomenal form for the Blues this season, becoming one of the team's most important players. However, the good news is that he won't require surgery.

Still, 30 days is a cautious timescale, depending on whether his body can fully recover for the tournament.

In a Twitter message, James is positive and has vowed to be ready for England's first game.

James was expected to start for England in Qatar since first-choice right-back Kyle Walker recently had groin surgery. England manager Gareth Southgate will name his World Cup squad in November, and James might just make it.

Reece James' injury worse than imagined

Sports Brief earlier reported on the news that Reece James could miss the World Cup after scans revealed the defender's injury was worse than previously feared.

Scans revealed he had damaged his knee ligaments against AC Milan and would therefore need eight weeks to recover fully.

James has been ever-present for Chelsea this season and is set to miss huge Premier League matches against Arsenal and Manchester United.

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Edwin Kiplagat
Edwin Kiplagat has five years of experience in journalism working as a Sports Editor at Africa Insight Communications and ESPN. Edwin Kiplagat is a Bachelor's Degree holder in journalism from the Multimedia University of Kenya.