Reece James has faced significant challenges in recent seasons due to ongoing knee and hamstring injuries. Since being appointed Chelsea captain at the beginning of the last campaign, his participation has been limited to just eight appearances in the Premier League.
His last league outing was a mere eight minutes against Arsenal back in November, and his last goal prior to this season came in October 2022 against AC Milan. However, there seem to be promising signs of recovery as James made his return after a two-month absence, playing 45 minutes in the FA Cup against Morecambe.
In a display of resilience, he came on in the 56th minute during Chelsea’s match against Bournemouth and showed his skills, particularly against the talented winger Antoine Semenyo. However, it was his goal that truly showcased his capabilities. After the team’s key player, Cole Palmer, entrusted him with free-kick duties, James executed a stunning shot from 20 yards, successfully finding the back of the net.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca expressed his confidence in James’ abilities, stating, “Reece can compare with Cole in terms of free-kicks because he is very good,” adding that everyone is pleased with his successful strike which helped the team secure a point. Former Premier League striker Glenn Murray praised the goal, describing it as having “pace, power, and a little bit of swerve.”
Maresca concluded with an optimistic outlook for James, emphasizing the importance of maintaining his fitness to contribute effectively to the team’s strategy moving forward. The hopeful message is that James’ return could significantly bolster Chelsea’s performance in the upcoming matches as he regains form.