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Chelsea fans might want to take notice of Reece James’ latest social media post.
James uploaded a story to his Instagram of himself in what appears to be Chelsea training gear.
The 22-year-old also added the caption ‘it’s a crowd when it’s time to party but when it’s time to put that work in it get lonely…’
Don’t we all love a cryptic clue?
Now, the defender may well have just gone out for a walk when the meaningful quote popped into his head.
Or, as the Stamford Bridge faithful would rather believe, he is speaking about grafting on the training pitch.
More specifically, building his way back from injury.
James fights against his injury
James hasn’t kicked a ball competitively for over a month since sustaining a knee injury away to AC Milan.
He hoped to be fit enough in time for the World Cup, with the full-back himself feeling confident about making the trip to Qatar.
Gareth Southgate didn’t share the Chelsea player’s optimism and decided the risk was not worth the reward.
Southgate left James out of the 26-man squad due to his current fitness status.
Supporters and pundits alike were obviously devasted for the Cobham academy graduate after his World Cup dreams were shattered.
But now is not the time to dwell on disappointments.
The focus for James must be to recover fully in time for the return of domestic football.
His recovery could be pivotal for Chelsea’s second-half of the season and perhaps more significantly, to help keep Graham Potter in a job.
Potter will be under great scrutiny when the World Cup ends to improve his side’s performances after losing three consecutive Premier League games.
He has admittedly been without several of his most influential performers during that run through injury.
If the Blues boss can use James, Ben Chilwell, Kepa Arrizabalaga, N’Golo Kante and Wesley Fofana to their full potential again, who knows where the team could end up come May.
