England and Chelsea fans have recieved a bit of an update on Reece James’ availability ahead of the final World Cup group game against Panama.
Reece James has been the go-to man at right-back in Thomas Tuchel’s England setup at the 2026 World Cup, but it hasn’t been straightforward.
The Chelsea captain has been a consistent presence in North America, putting in two full 90-minute shifts against both Croatia and Ghana.
Despite his successful run, familiar anxiety among fans ahead of the final group stage fixture against Panama at MetLife Stadium have come to life.
What target are you setting Xabi Alonso in his first season as Chelsea manager?👀
A training update from England with Reece James
The big news to come out of England training was the fact that Reece James could not be seen in training photos.
This comes after the FA declined to comment on the fact that James was being monitored for a minor hamstring injury.
Now, this could be precautionary, but with the Three Lions set to play tomorrow, it doesn’t look good for James starting against Panama.
However, as a Chelsea fan, you’d put injury prevention and recovery over playing for your country any day, as Xabi Alonso will want him fit and firing for the start of the season.
Especially as Reece James has an extensive and highly documented history of severe hamstring injuries. The muscle has plagued his career since 2021, forcing him to undergo surgery in late 2023. He has missed over 40 matches specifically due to recurring hamstring tears, including this last season.
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