- Reece James has been ruled out of nine games so far this season due to injuries
- The 23-year-old right back suffered a hamstring injury during training after the first match of the season
- England will struggle to win a trophy with Kalvin Phillips It all starts
Reece James has insisted he ‘hasn’t felt this good for a long time’ after finally recovering from a lengthy break due to injury.
Since the start of 2023, James has missed 18 games for Premier League giants Chelsea, as well as a number of call-ups to international duty.
Most recently, after getting fit for the start of the 2023/24 season, the defender suffered a hamstring injury in training after Chelsea’s opening match against Liverpool.
James returned to the Chelsea squad for their London derby match against Arsenal in October and after recently helping Chelsea to important points, the 23-year-old admitted he was ‘building up his strength and fitness’.
“I haven’t felt this good in a long time,” James said. ‘I definitely feel that my strength and fitness are increasing again.
Reece James claims he ‘hasn’t felt this good in a long time’ after recently returning from injury
James returned to the squad for their match against Arsenal at Stamford Bridge
James says he is confident in Chelsea’s potential as they are moving in the right direction
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‘I haven’t been able to play 90 minutes yet, but I’m training and playing hard and pushing the limits every day to get back to my best level.
On his return to the squad, James added: ‘I’m happy to be able to help the team again. After almost three months of absence, it takes a while before you rebuild and find your shape again.
‘Some people think that as soon as you come back you have to be at the level where you left off, but it doesn’t work that way.
With Chelsea currently in 10th place in the Premier League, James noted that the Blues’ performances have improved of late.
‘Our performance over the past five to six weeks has improved. Everyone is happy in the neighborhood. Our confidence is growing. Results help with that. It is the starting point.
‘We have had a tough series of games and have taken some good points. We have stepped up. We now have to build on this.’
Having played Man City, Arsenal and Tottenham in their last four league matches, they remained unbeaten as Mauricio Pochettino began to find his feet on his return to the Premier League.
Chelsea travel to St James Park on Saturday to take on Newcastle.
James has had a huge impact for the Blues since returning from his hamstring injury
