"Such an unlucky player", " Leave Europe and get the bag in Saudi" - Chelsea fans react as Reece James ruled out for a month through injury

Chelsea fans have reacted in different ways to the news of their captain Reece James being ruled out for the next month with a hamstring problem. The right-back is set for his second stint on the sidelines this season and is expected to return in the second half of the campaign.

Reece James was made Chelsea captain at the start of the 2023-24 season, captaining the club he joined aged just eight. However, he has not ben able to make an impact as captain due to his injury issues. The 24-year-old has played just 654 minutes since being named captain by Mauricio Pochettino, the equivalent of just over seven full matches.

James has been struggling with hamstring issues for much of the last two seasons. He underwent surgery last December which caused him to miss out on most of the 2023-24 season. The right-back suffered another hamstring injury in August and only made four appearances before picking up a new hamstring problem last week.

A number of Chelsea fans appear to have reached the end of their patience for the right-back, judging by their reactions to news of his injury on X. Some others were more sympathetic in their reactions, as can be observed below.

One fan had a message of support for the right-back to come back stronger from the injury.

"Such a unlucky player with a glass legs, don’t worry champion you would be back stronger again", they wrote.

Another fan was sympathetic to the plight of the Chelsea man, advising him to move to the less intense Saudi league.

"I really hate Chelsea but this guy situation is very sad. He’s one of the best RB in the world but injuries are ruining his career already. He should just leave Europe and get the bag in Saudi because seems he can’t be at his best again", they wrote.

A fan simply asked the Englishman to retire.

"Just retire my boy", they posted.

Another fan had sympathy for the struggling right-back.

"Can’t imagine how he feels rn. Mentally, probably at his lowest. Life can be Unfair man. wish him all the best 🥂", they posted.

A fan pointed out that they look forward to seeing James play five consecutive games.

"I’m waiting for the day this guy will play 5 matches continuously. It’s very sad 😢", they wrote.

Reece James has only played four times for a total of 241 minutes under Enzo Maresca at Chelsea this season. The defender is set to miss games against Aston Villa, Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur, Brentford, Everton, Fulham, and Ipswich Town in December.

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Five academy stars named in Chelsea squad for Heidenheim clash

Chelsea have included five youngsters in the squad to face Bundesliga outfit Heidenheim in their UEFA Europa Conference League group-stage clash on Thursday, November 28. The Blues have won all three of their matches in the competition at this stage and sit atop the standings in the competition.

Head coach Enzo Maresca has chosen to rest many regulars, including Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson, Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, and Marc Cucurella for the trip to Germany. In their place, he has named youngsters Kiano Dyer, Sam Rak-Sakyi, Tyrique George, Shumaira Mheuka, and Lucas Bergstrom in the squad.

The duo of Rak-Sakyi and George have already appeared for Chelsea in the Conference League this season, with George having made four appearances. Striker Mheuka is the youngest in the group, aged just 17, and will be hopeful of a senior debut in Germany.