Chelsea captain Reece James is set to miss 22 matches after undergoing knee surgery this week, with a return not expected until late January.
Surgery after training injury
The Blues midfielder-come-full-back was a surprise absentee for last weekend’s meeting with Bournemouth after picking up what Xabi Alonso initially described as a “minor” knee injury in training.
It was confirmed on Friday morning that he has now undergone surgery on that issue, and Standard Sport understands he is facing three months on the sidelines.
Given his dismal injury history, Chelsea will not rush him back to fitness, and the expectation is that he may not return to the pitch until late January.
Key matches affected
That prognosis is far from encouraging, and the Blues will have to face some season-defining matches without the benefit of having their captain in the matchday squad.
He will likely miss the FA Cup third round, not to mention the Carabao Cup fourth-round trip to face Liverpool later this month. Should Chelsea progress, he also stands to miss the fifth round and semi-final first-leg.
Elsewhere, James will miss three London derbies on top of matches against Manchester United and Manchester City.
Full list of matches James will miss
Standard Sport collates the 22 Chelsea matches Reece James will miss as he recovers from knee surgery:
- Already missed: Chelsea 5-1 Bournemouth (October 10)
- October 17 vs Everton (A)
- October 24 vs Tottenham (H)
- October 28 vs Liverpool (Carabao Cup) (A)
- October 31 vs Manchester United (H)
- November 8 vs Sunderland (A)
- November 21 vs Leeds (H)
- November 27 vs Nottingham Forest (A)
- December 2 vs Crystal Palace (H)
- December 5 vs Liverpool (H)
- December 12 vs Manchester City (A)
- December 14: Potential Carabao Cup fifth round tie
- December 19 vs Aston Villa (H)
- December 27 vs Coventry City (A)
- December 30 vs Ipswich Town (A)
- January 3 vs Newcastle (H)
- January 6 vs Crystal Palace (A)
- January 9: FA Cup third round
- January 11: Potential Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg
- January 16 vs Sunderland (H)
- January 23 vs Leeds (A)
- January 30 vs Nottingham Forest (H)
