CHELSEA CONFIRMS REECE JAMES UNDERWENT KNEE SURGERY

Chelsea confirmed on Friday that captain Reece James underwent minor knee surgery after injuring himself in training. The club said medical assessments determined that he needed the operation. James missed Chelsea’s 5-1 win over Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge on Saturday while those assessments took place. Chelsea said he had begun rehabilitation with its medical department at Cobham. “Everyone at Chelsea wishes Reece a speedy recovery and will support him on his road to return,” the club said.

James played in Chelsea’s first six games under manager Xabi Alonso before missing the 3-0 defeat to Brentford ahead of the international break. Accounts differ on that earlier absence: one attributes it to injury without specifying the type, while another identifies a hamstring problem. They also differ on whether James withdrew from the England squad or did not receive a call-up. Alonso has used James in midfield this season, including in a central role in Chelsea’s 3-4-2-1 formation. Moises Caicedo and Jordan Henderson started in midfield against Bournemouth.

Alonso said James would miss more than two or three weeks but gave no return date. An estimate puts his absence at up to three months. “Before Christmas, after Christmas, time will tell,” Alonso said ahead of Chelsea’s away match against Everton on Saturday. Chelsea then face Tottenham and Manchester United at home, with a Carabao Cup trip to Liverpool between those matches. James also missed the 2022 World Cup after a knee injury and played for England at the 2026 tournament.