Chelsea handed huge injury boost ahead of Club World Cup

Chelsea has been hit hard by injuries this season. Absences within the Blues’ squad contributed to the significant dip in form over the past two months that saw them fall from league leaders down the table. Thomas Tuchel’s men now sit third in the league, 10 points off Manchester City at the top. That lead could expand to 13 points with the Citizens’ game in hand. Injuries are not the sole reason for the struggles, but they played a huge role. COVID-19 wasn’t kind to Chelsea either.

Despite those issues over the last couple of months, the Blues managed to stay afloat and avoid a total winter meltdown. The injury crisis and Coronavirus outbreak thankfully look to be behind them at this point. The team is almost 100 percent fit, aside from a few persistent, regular knocks that come with playing professional football. Of course, this excludes Ben Chilwell. The English fullback is unfortunately out for the remainder of the year. His opposite number has also missed significant time with a hamstring issue. Chelsea received a huge injury boost recently ahead of its trip to the Club World Cup though, it looks as if Reece James will return in time to play in the UAE.

Chelsea has been handed a massive injury boost with news of Reece James’ imminent return ahead of the Club World Cup in February

James has missed the last seven-and-a-half games for the Blues following his first half injury in the contest against Brighton. He will have been absent for over a month by the time he returns to training early next month. Chelsea has really struggled during that time period, especially given how crucial the wingback play is to Tuchel’s tried-and-tested 3-4-3. Chilwell and James were two of the Blues’ most impactful players throughout the start of the season, so it’s no wonder the German manager has changed things up since their injuries.

Chelsea recently found a suitable formation for itself in the 4-1-4-1. Tuchel had to move away from three-at-the-back due to Marcos Alonso and Cesar Azpilicueta’s fatigue. The veterans both played in nearly every game during the last month and it was beginning to show in their performances. James’ imminent return will alleviate some of the pressure being put on them both.

The Blues are currently on a winter break of sorts. They managed to navigate their way through the jam-packed winter fixture list without a postponement, so their schedule will look relatively favorable for the remainder of the campaign. Chelsea has played 24 of its 38 Premier League matches thus far, which is more than any other team in the English top flight. The Blues have now been given one week off by Tuchel following the 2-0 victory over Tottenham last weekend.

The squad will reconvene for training early next week to prepare for their FA Cup tie against Plymouth Argyle. It’s highly unlikely James will feature in that contest, but the hope is he can travel with the team to the United Arab Emirates, the site of this year’s FIFA Club World Cup. Chelsea will enter the competition at the semifinal stage. The Blues’ game will be played just four days after the FA Cup match against Plymouth, in Abu Dhabi, against an opponent that is still yet to be determined. If they make the final, the game will take place on February 12.

This break could not have come at a better time for Chelsea or James. If the 22-year-old is not ready to suit up in the UAE, he will have a week following the final before the Blues take the pitch again. The Crystal Palace contest on February 19 is the last chance James would get at a tune-up before facing Lille a few days after in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16. That is the most important game on Chelsea’s fixture list in the end. James’ return to fitness would provide a huge boost to Tuchel’s squad, so having him back as soon as possible is of the utmost importance.

How happy are you with the latest update on James’ recovery? Let us know your thoughts in the comments or on Twitter!