Reece James undergoes successful knee surgery for Chelsea

Chelsea captain Reece James has undergone successful surgery on a knee injury after suffering the problem in training before the Blues’ 5-1 win over Bournemouth last weekend.

The defender is now in rehabilitation with Chelsea’s medical staff, but the club has not provided any timetable for his return. It’s another setback in a spell of recent injury issues that have kept him out of several England tournaments since the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

James’ fitness improved significantly last season, helping him play a major role in England’s World Cup run, where they reached the semi-finals and then won the bronze-medal match.

He also withdrew from England duty during the most recent international break. England’s next break begins in early November, with a Wembley meeting against Croatia, while Chelsea work through a busy run that includes trips to Everton and Liverpool, plus home matches against Tottenham and Manchester United.