Reece James Targets Full Season Return As Chelsea Embarks On New Era

Reece James has set a singular aim for the 2024-25 season: to remain on the field. The Chelsea captain is eager to recover from two disrupted seasons. In 2022-23, James only featured in 16 Premier League matches due to multiple injuries, which also led to him missing the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Last season, a persistent hamstring injury restricted him to just 10 appearances. His campaign ended on a sour note with a red card in Chelsea's second-to-last Premier League game against Brighton and Hove Albion. This suspension will see him miss the first three league games under new manager Enzo Maresca, including fixtures against Manchester City, Wolves, and Crystal Palace.

The right-back last played over 2,000 minutes in a Premier League season during 2020-21, clocking 2,367 minutes. His playing time then dropped to 1,865 minutes in 2021-22, followed by 1,244 minutes in 2022-23, and just 421 minutes last term.

As Chelsea prepares for their pre-season tour of the United States, James expressed optimism about the upcoming season. "I have one goal—to stay on the pitch," he stated before Chelsea's first friendly against Wrexham.

"I am one to push the boundaries and sometimes that has caused problems for myself and the team," James admitted. "But that is something I'm trying to get better at. I don't want to make mistakes and put my team at risk."

James acknowledged the challenges of adapting to a new system under Maresca. "There are a lot of adjustments to make in the new system," he said. "Whenever a new manager comes in, there is a lot to take on board but we are excited and I can't wait to get started."

Chelsea's pre-season schedule includes matches against Wrexham at Levi's Stadium in San Francisco on Wednesday, followed by games against Celtic, Club America, Manchester City, and Real Madrid.

Reflecting on his current state, James shared that he feels prepared for the new season despite his four-game ban. "I had a long off-season and I've got a long pre-season because I'm serving a four-game ban," he noted. "But I'm in a good place."

James is determined not only to stay fit but also to avoid errors that could jeopardise his team's performance. "I would like to think I'm in a good place now," he reiterated.

The upcoming season presents an opportunity for James to demonstrate his resilience and leadership as Chelsea aims for success under Maresca's guidance.