Chelsea medics have been questioned by Danny Murphy after Reece James suffered yet another hamstring injury. The Blues confirmed earlier this week that their captain will face a significant period on the sidelines again after picking up the seventh hamstring injury of his career at Stamford Bridge during Sunday’s 2-0 loss against Everton.
Reports claim that James will be unavailable for a minimum of three months while sources of The Athletic worryingly believe he might not be back to full fitness until late May. James has already missed nine games due to injury this season with a hamstring issue and has missed a total of 35 matches since December 2020 because of the reoccurring injury.
The England international has suffered the injury in both of his legs over the past couple of years and ex-Liverpool star Murphy is confused why the club’s medical staff haven’t discovered the reason behind his persistent problem. “I’ve got to feel for Reece James. People want to criticise a player when they get injured all the time because they think it’s mentality. Look, seven times hamstring injury,” Murphy told FIVE’s YouTube channel.
“What baffles me, the medical departments were great even when I was finishing, why can’t they find what it is? When he doesn’t play they’re not as good.” The 24-year-old’s injury issue has not helped Mauricio Pochettino, who has had a tough start to life at Chelsea with the Blues languishing in 12th place in the Premier League table.
Matters off the pitch are not helping with reports this week that Pochettino is battling unrest in the dressing room over his decision to hand James the captaincy over experienced star Thiago Silva.
Despite the Brazilian’s vast experience, Conor Gallagher – who may well be sold in January – and Ben Chilwell are the nominated vice-captains. That has left some Chelsea players ‘perplexed’ and feeling that Pochettino has ‘disrespected’ Silva, according to The Guardian.
The 39-year-old, who is expected to leave the Blues upon the expiry of his contract at the end of the season, has come in for criticism himself in recent weeks despite starting in all but one Premier League game this season.
Following Chelsea’s defeat against Manchester United last week, ex-Liverpool player Steve Nicol claimed that age has caught up with Silva and that his career was as good as over.
“Thiago Silva has been magnificent as a player, but now the problem for me is he can’t move his feet quick enough”, Nicol told ESPN FC. “I think his brain’s still working, but when you can’t move your feet, it takes too long.
“And when you’re playing against players like today and Man United, who just couldn’t wait to close the ball down, couldn’t wait to put you under pressure, then you end up getting caught with the ball and you make rash decisions and you give the ball away.”
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