Reece James returns to Chelsea training as Maresca maps out plan for captain

Reece James has today handed Chelsea a boost by returning to training, but Enzo Maresca has vowed to take a “slowly, slowly” approach to his latest comeback.

James has not featured since the 1-1 draw with Arsenal in early November because of a hamstring problem picked up during the subsequent international break.

The club captain has been plagued by a series of fitness problems - and, in particular, hamstring injuries - over the past three years and has made only six Premier League appearances across the entirety of 2024.

The 25-year-old had surgery last winter in a bid to resolve the issue and did return to full fitness during preseason, only to pick up a fresh problem that eventually ruled him out until mid-October.

James had managed just four appearances for the Blues this term when his latest injury struck and Maresca says the club will be cautious in coaxing him back into action this time around.

“Reece finally [on Friday] will start with us for part of the session, so slowly, slowly, he will be back,” Maresca said.

“That doesn’t mean he is going to be with us on Sunday [against Everton] or next Sunday.

“The plan for him [on Friday] is to be with the team for part of the session and from there to try to build the right condition for him. Then finally he can be back with us.”

James’s permanent return to fitness would be a huge positive for Chelsea heading into the second half of the season, with Maresca light on options at full-back, though youngster Josh Acheampong’s decision to finally sign a long-term contract this week has added depth.

Beyond Chelsea’s title push, another motivation for James is the chance to win back his place in the England squad.

He earned the last of his 16 caps in March 2023 but incoming manager Thomas Tuchel - under whom James won the Champions League at Chelsea - has said that all of his players will start with a clean slate.

Kieran Trippier’s retirement and Kyle Walker’s sudden decline at Manchester City mean the right-back area is not quite as congested as it was once, and while Trent Alexander-Arnold remains an in-form option it remains to be seen whether Tuchel can tempt Ben White to end his international exile.