“He’s starting against Liverpool because of what he did in training yesterday, I know he just started ONE PL game for us this season but he’s time has come”: Enzo Maresca confirms ONE Chelsea player who has only started ONE game for the blues this season will be starting against Liverpool
Enzo Maresca has provided a fitness update on Chelsea’s Reece James ahead of the trip to Liverpool this weekend.
Chelsea are facing a difficult away match at Liverpool on Sunday afternoon in the Premier League, which is their first game back after the October international break.
There’s a lot of interest to see if Blues captain Reece James, 24, will be in a matchday squad for the first time this season after his absence with a hamstring injury.
Chelsea fans were ecstatic to see James training earlier this week, with everyone excited about his imminent return.
Now, Blues head coach Enzo Maresca has provided a fitness update on the right-back in his pre-match press conference for the Liverpool fixture.
Enzo Maresca gives green light on Reece James
Maresca has confirmed on Friday afternoon that James is available for selection for the upcoming league fixture.
When asked if James will be in the squad on Sunday against Liverpool, Maresca said via Chelsea’s YouTube channel: “He’s available. Finally, he’s back. He worked with us all for all the international break. It’s good news, especially for him, because being injured is not a good feeling.”
Chelsea don’t need to rush Reece James
It’s happened time and time again that James has picked up injury issues, so fans will have their fingers crossed that this can finally be a significant moment in his career where he keeps fitter for longer.
When fit, the Chelsea star has the individual quality to be one of the best players in the Premier League. He’s simply got to prove he can stay available, though.
Fortunately, the Blues do have Malo Gusto as an excellent alternative option at right-back. Therefore, we’d like to see James eased back onto the pitch in the next few weeks.
We’ll soon see just how ready he is to play after more time in the international break to work on his rehabilitation, but even seeing his name on the bench against Liverpool will give everyone a small lift.
In the back of his mind, James will surely be planning a potential recall to the England squad now that Thomas Tuchel has been appointed the national team boss. Tuchel described James as a player with “huge quality” when the pair previously worked together at Chelsea, via The Evening Standard.
