November 22nd 2024.
Enzo Maresca, the coach of the team, is faced with a tough decision regarding one of his star players. Troy Deeney, a former striker for Watford, believes that in hindsight, the choice to make Reece James the captain of Chelsea seems a bit odd. This is especially true considering his history of struggling with injuries.
Reece James, who came up through the Chelsea academy, was given the captain's armband in August 2023 after Cesar Azpilicueta left the team. However, since then, he has had a difficult time staying fit due to recurring injuries. In fact, he only managed to play in four Premier League games before the recent international break, and now he is facing another period of time on the sidelines.
While Enzo Maresca has other options at full-back, James' absence means that the young squad will be without one of their leaders for yet another period of time. Deeney believes that this is a sign that the club may need to rethink their decision to make James the captain. After all, since receiving the armband 15 months ago, he has only been able to play a total of 654 minutes of football.
Deeney expressed his thoughts on James' situation during an interview with talkSPORT, stating, "The most concerning thing is that it's a surprise when he's on the team sheet. It's unfortunate that he has injury problems, but sometimes that's just how it is. Some players train hard but their bodies just can't handle it. However, in James' case, it seems like he is constantly breaking down. To be honest, I found it strange that he was made captain because he has never been consistently fit and available."
When it comes to James' future at Chelsea, Deeney believes that he may be on his last chance to prove himself. If he doesn't manage to stay fit and play regularly, he may have to move on to a smaller club, similar to Jack Wilshere's situation at Bournemouth. Deeney said, "It's a shame because he is clearly a talented and skilled player, but what's the point if he can't stay fit and play? He may end up out of the game within two years."
Despite his latest setback, James remains determined to come back stronger. In a message on his social media, he thanked those who have shown him support and promised to overcome this challenge. He said, "To those who understand and have respect for what I'm going through, I appreciate you more than you know. Your kind messages and support mean everything to me. As for me, I'm doing alright. I've had better days, but I've also had worse. This is just another challenge that I will conquer. Against all odds, I will come out on top."
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