Missed 136 games and counting: Reece James is injured again!

Reece James is injured.

No, this is not a mistake. This isn’t a recycled piece of news from a month ago, a year ago, a year and a half ago, or even two years ago. It's happened again!

For the 23rd time since he joined Chelsea's senior squad in 2019, the defender will be sidelined, and the list of his injuries is one of the longest football has ever seen: from mild and harmless illnesses, bruises, and knocks, to serious ankle, hamstring, muscle, thigh, and hip problems.

So far, he's made 226 appearances for Chelsea and missed 136 games! Furthermore, in the last seven years, he's been sidelined for 762 days!

After several injury-ridden seasons, James seemed to have finally found his peace, as he was unavailable for only five matches this season. He hasn't been seriously injured for almost a year and a half, fully returning to his best form.

In the current campaign, he scored two goals and provided seven assists in 36 games for the Blues, being one of their most crucial players.

Nevertheless, the latest setback hit him hard just three days after signing a new six-year deal with the London side, worth €13.5 million per year, and will keep him off the pitch for a couple of weeks, according to The Athletic.

Chelsea lock in their captain: James stays until 2032

Hence, he'll miss Chelsea's Champions League Round of 16 return leg against Paris Saint-Germain (tonight, 23.00), Premier League duel against Everton, and the FA Cup clash against Port Vale. At the same time, he won't be at Thomas Tuchel's disposal for England's friendly matches against Uruguay and Japan.

However, a much bigger problem for the 26-year-old James is that his injury-proneness could significantly reduce his chances of making the cut and being part of the Three Lions' 2026 FIFA World Cup squad.

Now that would be a complete disaster for both him and the national team.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - ROUND OF 16

Return leg

Tuesday

20.45: (1.50) Sporting (5.40) Bodo (5.70)

23.00: (1.28) Arsenal (5.70) Leverkusen (12.0)

23.00: (2.15) Chelsea (4.25) PSG (3.05)

23.00: (1.46) Manchester City (5.50) Real Madrid (6.10)

Wednesday

20.45: (1.57) Barcelona (4.65) Newcastle (5.00)

23.00: (1.35) Bayern (5.30) Atalanta (8.00)

23.00: (1.30) Liverpool (6.10) Galatasaray (8.50)

23.00: (2.60) Tottenham (3.75) Atl.Madrid (2.65)

***odds are subject to change***