The past few months have been one of the toughest periods of Chelsea’s 2025/2026 campaign for supporters.
From the recent Reece James hamstring injury, which has arrived at the worst possible time, to the departure of Enzo Maresca – the manager who led the club to the Club World Cup and Conference League titles – and the appointment of Liam Rosenior, whom many fans are still unsure about, the turbulence has continued to mount.
On the pitch, results have hardly offered relief. Liam Rosenior’s men now sit sixth in the Premier League table with 48 points and only eight games remaining, putting Chelsea’s top-four hopes under serious pressure.
Their European campaign has also taken a heavy blow after capitulating in the closing minutes of the UCL Round of 16 first leg against PSG, conceding three goals in the final 20 minutes to lose 5-2.
Off the field, matters have been equally troubling following Premier League sanctions related to undisclosed and unauthorised payments made to players, unregistered agents, and third parties between 2011 and 2018.
Amidst this chaos, the debate within the fanbase over who would make the better captain – Reece James or Enzo Fernández – has only intensified, with many feeling the club simply cannot catch a break.
All these, together with the latest Reece James hamstring injury, which has automatically ruled him out of the second leg at Stamford Bridge as he is set to miss several weeks, have made it a worrying period for Chelsea supporters.
Reece James Hamstring Injury Raises Concerns Ahead of Crucial Fixtures
Just when the club was excited about having a fully fit squad again – following the return of Levi Colwill and Estevao Willian to training on grass – the Blues were hit with another setback after their captain suffered yet another hamstring injury.
The Reece James hamstring injury comes shortly after he put pen to paper on an improved six-year deal that will keep him at the club until 2032. The Englishman has now suffered his 10th career hamstring injury at just 26 years of age, raising fresh concerns about his long-term fitness and reliability during a crucial period of the season for Chelsea.
Before the injury, James had largely stayed fit this season, having played six of the last seven matches before this sudden relapse.
With another spell on the sidelines expected, the setback once again disrupts the Blues’ defensive stability and adds to the growing list of injury frustrations that have plagued the team this campaign.
The Replacement: Can Malo Gusto Step Up?
On his day, Reece James is the best right-back in the world, and there is little room for debate about his quality. But Malo Gusto has also shown signs of being a reliable deputy, contributing two goals and three assists in 27 league appearances while providing versatility, energy, attacking width, and defensive work rate whenever called upon.
While he may not yet possess the same all-round dominance or leadership that James brings at his peak, Gusto’s steady performances have at least given Chelsea a dependable option on the right flank during another difficult injury spell for their captain.
Another option at right-back is Josh Acheampong. Although the 19-year-old has not enjoyed much game time this season, he remains a solid defensive option.
With Reece James hamstring injury keeping him out for several weeks, there is every chance Acheampong could see increased opportunities and feature more regularly in the back line for the Blues, gaining valuable experience at the top level while helping to stabilise a defence that has been hit hard by injuries this season.
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Psychological Toll and Long-Term Concerns
Since the 2021-2025 season, James has missed an astonishing total of 86 league games, but enjoyed his most consistent run of games this year, during which he has missed only five games and started 23 of them.
This season, he showed a level of durability that many fans feared was gone. Before Reece James’s hamstring injury, he had finally begun to reclaim his status as the Premier League’s premier attacking full-back, providing 6 assists and becoming the tactical pivot in Liam Rosenior’s “inverted” system that could see him paired with Caicedo or retain his natural RB position.
In a World Cup year, most players are wary of getting a long-term injury that would damage their chances of representing their country in the U.S.
Now, this injury puts James’ place in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the 2026 World Cup at serious risk, with the tournament kicking off in June. It also raises pressing concerns about whether his body can endure the demands of elite-level football over the long term.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / Pro Sports Images
Recording Date: 14.03.2026
