How James Latest Injury Will Affect Chelsea’s January Transfer Plans

• Reece James limped off with an injury in Chelsea's 2-0 win over Bournemouth last night
• The club confirmed a setback to his previous injury and he will be out for up to a month
• This certainly affects the London club's dealings as the January transfer window nears

Chelsea right-back Reece James limped off with yet another knee injury last night in the 2-0 win over AFC Bournemouth, as the Premier League returned to action after the World Cup break.

The defender has been out of action since October in the UEFA Champions League match against AC Milan, which Chelsea won 2-0, and he missed the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup.

The club released a statement this afternoon confirming it was a setback to James' previous knee injury, and he faces another one month out for recovery.

What it means for Chelsea

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Since his return to Chelsea in the 2019/20 season, after a successful loan spell at Wigan, James has suffered 11 different injuries to his ankle, hamstring and knee, missing a total of 60 games for the Blues, according to Transfermarkt.

This certainly changes how the London club will approach the January transfer window, as they now need urgent cover. Captain, Cesar Azpilicueta is not deemed a worthy replacement for the 23-year-old.

According to the Evening Standard, Chelsea were interested in Southampton's Kyle Walker-Peters in the summer. Sports Mole also reported the club's interest in Inter Milan's Denzel Dumfries.

The London club will look to one of the two options available - or perhaps others - to provide competent cover for their star defender.

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James' physio sad at injury

Sports Brief earlier reported that the right-back's personal performance trainer is saddened at James latest injury, though he was tight-lipped on exactly what happened behind the scenes.

James Ralph posted a three-emoji picture on Instagram claiming there is a lot to say. It has led many Chelsea fans to speculate the defender was possibly rushed back against Ralph's directives.

The England defender's injury has caused questions about the Blues' medical department, as summer signing Wesley Fofana suffered a recurrence of his knee injury as well.