Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has confirmed Reece James is injured again ahead of the Blues’ trip to Leicester this weekend.
The club captain has already missed a significant period of the 2024-25 campaign due to a hamstring issue, but Maresca says it is only a small issue this time.
Speaking in his press conference, he said: “We have just one injured player, that is Reece [James]. He felt something small and we don’t want to take any risk.
“He is the only one for sure who is injured. The rest, some are better, some are still a doubt. We have to see.
“It’s hamstring, it’s a muscle problem and we don’t want to take any risk.”
Maresca also reflected on his journey to Stamford Bridge as he prepares to return to Leicester.
Pep Guardiola’s disciple led the Foxes back into the Premier League before being poached by the West London club and made sure to remain humble when asked about how it would feel to head back to the King Power Stadium.
We return to #PL action with a trip to Leicester City on Saturday. 👊 pic.twitter.com/iY2zA7X9h1
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) November 19, 2024
He added: “I’m excited and thankful, it was a fantastic season. The owner, his family are fantastic people. They care for players, staff, all of the people that work in the club. You can see that.
“It was a fantastic season because I met good people. There was a fantastic connection between the players and staff, and that is something you have to create to be successful.
“I’m still in contact with them, it was fantastic.
“To be honest, I work every day to become better. I hope [so] because I like to see things and analyse.
“We try to improve players but also improve staff. I try to improve every day.
“I don’t know if I’m better or worse, but I’m always curious to see things and study. That’s the only thing I focus on.
“It’s not an easy game. You can see week after week it always is complicated, no matter where the team is in the league. We are always going to try our best to win.”