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JamesCaesar (首å¸ç™¾äººéšŠé•·)
2020-12-21 22:17:43https://theathletic.com/news/chelsea-reece-james-injury-latest/OZDjI2h8VbcS
Exclusive: Chelsea boost as Reece James will only undergo surgery as last
resort
2020年12月21日Updated 上午2:34 [GMT+8]
Chelsea have been handed a boost after a scan on Reece James's knee showed
he will only need surgery as a last resort, Simon Johnson can reveal.
https://i.imgur.com/uGpMX3K.jpg
The Athletic understands that James will miss the game against West Ham on
Monday night, having started 11 of Chelsea's 13 Premier League games this
season. But head coach Frank Lampard will view it as a positive that James
is now not likely to require an operation.
== What is the latest on the injury? ==
The Athletic has been told that James got the results back on the scan on
Sunday morning. Chelsea are now planning to rest him for a few games as a
result, rather than James going under the knife.
James has been dealing with an issue in his knee in recent matches. The
initial diagnosis was very minor so the England international was deemed
fit enough to play on and was notably Chelsea's best player at Everton
last week, albeit in a 1-0 defeat.
He was less effective, however, during the 2-1 loss at Wolves on Tuesday
night and looked in a bit of discomfort following a strong challenge from
Daniel Podence. The level of discomfort has increased over the last few
days so the decision was made to investigate further.
The Athletic understands James felt greater pain and fluid in his knee
during training on Saturday, which led to the decision to undergo a scan.
== Who will play in his place on Monday? ==
Cesar Azpilicueta is going to start at right-back on Monday night when
Chelsea face West Ham. He is also set to start against Arsenal on Boxing
Day.
The Spaniard is not as strong going forward and has not been as impressive
as James on the 11 occasions Lampard has selected him in all competitions
this season.
== How much of a blow is this for Frank Lampard? ==
It is an improvement on the situation on Saturday, when there were fears
he could require surgery. But it is clearly still not ideal. He has become
one of Chelsea's most important players this season.
The 21-year-old has one goal and two assists to his name in the Premier
League this season and been a constant threat with his crossing from the
right flank.
Hakim Ziyech hasn't featured since suffering a hamstring injury against
Leeds and The Athletic understands the West Ham game is expected to come
too soon for him to feature.
Ziyech joined in training with the main group for the first time on
Friday, but the fixture at Arsenal on Boxing Day is looking more likely
for him to make a comeback.
There is far more confidence, however, over Callum Hudson-Odoi, who has
also been missing since injuring a hamstring in training a fortnight ago.
The England winger also joined in Friday's training session and is further
advanced in his return to full fitness. Given the busy festive schedule,
however, he will probably not be risked from the start.
(Photo: James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images)