Reece James injury history: Chelsea captain passes 500-day mark on the sidelines after return delayed following latest fitness issue

Reece James' injury hell shows no sign of ending as his long-awaited return from his latest fitness problem has been delayed.

Chelsea captain has been Plagued by health problems throughout his career which has seen him spend more than 500 days on the sidelines.

James has yet to make a single competitive appearance under new Blues manager Enzo Maresca as his hot weather with injuries continues.

The 24-year-old suffered a hamstring injury during his first competitive game as Chelsea captain on the opening weekend of the 2023/24 Premier League season.

That problem made him miss ten games, with James seeks to manage his workload upon his return after missing his service with England last November.

However, just a month later, the defender He suffered a recurrence of the hamstring problem. in the 2-0 defeat to Everton.

Five months after undergoing surgery, James returned for the final games of last season. But any hopes of proving his fitness to mount a last-minute bid for a wildcard entry into England's Euro 2024 squad have been dashed. Ruined by a red card against Brighton in May.

His ban extended to the first three Premier League games of this campaign, but a sustained problem over the summer kept him out anyway.

According The sunJames' third hamstring injury in a year has not healed as well as hoped and club doctors have put his return on hold.

Speaking ahead of Chelsea's 1-0 win over Bournemouth, Maresca hinted as much when he said: “Unfortunately, Reece James needs more time.”

It is another blow for James, who managed just 10 Premier League appearances last season and just 16 outings the year before.

His ever-mounting injury record means the Blues academy graduate has only played 34 more games for the club than he has missed.

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James is among ChelseaHe is one of the best players on the team whenever he is on the pitch, but his physical problems represent a major problem.

The right-back has already had 18 spells out since joining the west London side's first team in 2019.

That adds up to 124 games and Chelsea have not had him at their disposal, with more than 510 days accumulated in the treatment room.

It is a damning record that his own father, Nigel, has attempted to address during an interview with The podcast The most beautiful game in 2023.

Asked what Chelsea are doing to resolve his recurring hamstring problems, James Sr said: “It's not in my hands any more, it's in the hands of Chelsea Football Club.

“I can't question them and say: Have you done this? Of course you will.

“They have the best people to make sure everything goes smoothly.”

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James has started 118 games in all competitions during his career with the Blues, 81 of them in the Premier League.

His last competitive debut was under Mauricio Pochettino in December, with just two cameo appearances since then, both in May.

His troubles in the professional ranks began after an ankle injury while playing for England in the Toulon Tournament in June 2019.

James has since been sidelined with knee, thigh and ankle problems, with his hamstrings an area of ​​particular concern.

James also missed the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after suffering a knee injury in the build-up to the match, and concerns over his fitness ruled him out of Gareth Southgate's final tournament as England manager this summer.

The latest hamstring injury he suffered in pre-season was the seventh the defender has suffered in the last three years.

Incredibly, his longest run without any fitness problems came during a season-long loan at Wigan in 2018/19, which still accounts for more than 30 per cent of his career league starts.