Reece James: Chelsea defender braced for one more harm setback with Blues eager about Celtic’s Josip Juranovic | Soccer Information

Reece James has hinted he’s set for one more spell on the harm desk after limping off towards Bournemouth – with Chelsea eager about Celtic’s Josip Juranovic as a possible alternative.

The England worldwide picked up a knee harm and missed the World Cup in Qatar however returned to start out in his membership’s 2-0 Premier League victory.

James lasted nearly hour at Stamford Bridge earlier than he felt discomfort in the identical knee and was pressured off. He left the stadium sporting a knee brace.

On Wednesday, James posted an announcement on social media describing how “robust” his yr has been for him.

“2022 has been the hardest yr to this point,” he wrote. “Simply wanna thanks all for the assist, none of you go unnoticed.

“It is naturally effected [sic] me mentally, I am at present simply tryna cope with the playing cards I have been dealt. I hope your finish of yr is full of peace, pleasure & happiness.

“Love you all, catch you subsequent yr.”

Chelsea head coach Graham Potter admitted he was involved by James’ setback, including any workforce would miss the standard offered by the England right-back.

Potter, who revealed he was planning to substitute James an hour into the match, mentioned it was “too quickly” to evaluate the extent of the 23-year-old’s harm, however added: “Clearly it is the identical space so we’re involved.

“We’ll need to see how the subsequent 24 to 48 hours go. It was a form of chopping motion after which he felt one thing. We’ll hold our fingers crossed. He is disenchanted. We’re simply hoping it is not as dangerous.

“Reece is a world-class participant. You see it from the surface nevertheless it’s not till you’re employed with him that you just perceive how good he’s. He is an unimaginable participant. He would match into any workforce on the earth so any workforce would miss him.”

Chelsea eager about Celtic’s Juranovic

With James set for a interval on the therapy desk, Chelsea are considered one of a lot of golf equipment Celtic right-back Juranovic.

Sky Sports activities Information has been informed inner talks have taken place at Chelsea to evaluate right-back choices as they look forward to the total extent of James’ harm, with Juranovic a participant who Chelsea have scouted for some time.

Sky Sports activities Information revealed final week that Barcelona are eager about signing the Celtic right-back.

One supply has informed Sky Sports activities Information he’s the Catalans’ primary goal to fill that place, if they will discover a resolution to their Monetary Truthful Play restrictions.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta mentioned final month that the membership will nonetheless discover it troublesome to make January signings regardless of bettering the well being of their funds.

“We needed to make some levers, which had been financial operations that saved the membership from smash, and now the membership is in financial restoration,” he mentioned. “However regardless of that, in accordance with the principles of economic truthful play of the Spanish league, we can’t signal.

“Us and another LaLiga golf equipment are additionally attempting to persuade LaLiga to be extra versatile, and permit us different sorts of interpretations that may make Barcelona even stronger.”

Celtic have needed to maintain Juranovic and there have been talks over improved phrases on a brand new contract, however neither occasion might attain an settlement earlier than he joined the Croatia squad for the World Cup. The 27-year-old nonetheless has greater than three-and-a-half years left on his present deal.

It’s understood Celtic will look to take a seat down with Juranovic once more when he returns from his post-World Cup break this week, however the Scottish champions are braced for bids, amid curiosity from the Premier League and golf equipment in Europe.

Earlier this month, Celtic introduced the signing of Canada right-back Alistair Johnston on a five-year deal.

Evaluation: James denied excellent return by merciless harm

Sky Sports activities soccer journalist David Richardson at Stamford Bridge:

James regarded like he had by no means been away.

Injured since October 11 with a knee situation that required surgical procedure, James made a formidable return to aggressive motion just for it to finish after 53 minutes.

James had been key to Chelsea’s 2-0 lead, tormenting Bournemouth down their left aspect and linking up flawlessly with Raheem Sterling. The correct-back was even denied a objective by Mark Travers late within the first half.

However quickly he was trudging down the tunnel after struggling a difficulty in “the identical space” as the issue he’d solely simply overcome.

Chelsea stuttered after James went off. Cesar Azpilicueta – James’ alternative – was unable to supply the identical attacking risk on the suitable.

Thankfully for Potter’s aspect they already held a commanding lead, however they’ll have an even bigger downside ought to James be set for one more lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Chelsea’s subsequent six fixtures

January 1 – Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea, Premier League, reside on Sky Sports activities – kick-off 4.30pm

January 5 – Chelsea vs Manchester Metropolis, Premier League, reside on Sky Sports activities – kick-off 8pm

January 8 – Manchester Metropolis vs Chelsea, FA Cup third spherical, kick-off 4.30pm

January 12 – Fulham vs Chelsea, Premier League, kick-off 8pm

January 15 – Chelsea vs Crystal Palace, Premier League, kick-off 2pm

January 21 – Liverpool vs Chelsea, Premier League, kick-off 12.30pm