Reece James marked a significant milestone in his Chelsea career this weekend by completing three consecutive full 90-minute matches as the first time he has achieved this since 2023 amid a long battle with injuries.
The Blues captain started and finished fixtures against Bournemouth, Atalanta, and Everton, showcasing not just his durability but a rising level of performance under pressure.
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca was quick to highlight the importance of James’s resurgence, saying, “He’s asking for more. He’s getting better and better. It’s a good feeling for us because we said many times that he’s an important player for us.”
James’s return to sustained fitness comes as a boost for Chelsea during a congested run of fixtures in both the Premier League and European competition.
The 25-year-old right-back, who has been carefully managed since recurring hamstring problems, now looks capable of offering leadership and consistency at a crucial stage of the season.
His fitness progress was on display in the 2–0 victory over Everton at Stamford Bridge, where James anchored the defense and completed the full 90 minutes once again.
Maresca’s praise highlights Chelsea’s renewed confidence in deploying James more regularly, signaling a positive shift in squad reliability after injury setbacks.
With this run, James has not only silenced lingering doubts about his durability but also reinforced his role as a cornerstone of Maresca’s tactical setup.
As Chelsea push for higher league positions and deeper cup runs, having their captain fit and firing will be vital.
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