Chelsea defender Reece James has said it is “very boring right now” to constantly talk about injury problems, but the Blues are still working to strengthen their defensive depth this summer.
Reece James slams injury critics
James’ career has been plagued by injuries, which led to him being left out of the squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, which was heartbreaking. The disappointment was compounded by England’s failure to reach the Euro 2024 final.
Another injury at Chelsea interrupted the second half of the season, but he returned for the final few games and secured a seat on a plane to North America.
James says talk of his injury is fading.
“People always talk about injuries and availability, but for me it’s so boring now,” James told BBC 5 Live.
“I have one job and that is to do my best on the pitch. To be honest, I understand that there is a stigma at first, but after a while it gets boring.
“I have been healthy for a long time before my last injury and I don’t hear a lot of noise.
“I just focus on myself and my body, trying to perform the best I can and help the team I’m playing.”
James is Thomas Tuchel’s first-choice right-back and he says he has a “very good relationship” with the manager as they aim to win another big trophy together.
The 26-year-old played under Tuchel at Chelsea, where he won the Champions League and feels the manager has faith in him.
“I’ve worked with him before at Chelsea, we won trophies together and I love playing under him,” he told talkSPORT. “His person as a person, him as a manager, that connects very well with him. I like the manager side of him and I like the personal side of him as well.
“If you look at all the top managers, there are great coaches who specialize solely in football, some who are very good as people, and some who are not so great, but for me he ticks both boxes.
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“I’ve been in some of the locker rooms at halftime, before the game, after the game, when he gave these great speeches.
“We all want the same thing and we’re all fighting for the same goal. It comes from his passion and his desire to win.”
Chelsea are still planning to strengthen their defense this summer and add depth to support their captain, and Fabrizio Romano shared an update on those efforts this week.
Chelsea transfer latest information: Palestra, Ramon
The journalist confirmed on his social media accounts on Wednesday that Atalanta right-back Marco Palestra is set to move to Stamford Bridge this summer in a deal worth €55m (about £47m).
A “verbal agreement has been reached between all parties”, with the Blues successfully hijacking Inter Milan’s interest in the 21-year-old.
However, as Romano revealed in his latest Youtube video, they are not stopping there and are also looking to shake up their centre-back line-up, with Jacobo Ramon being just one of five targets for that position, with more news to come soon.
“Spanish centre-back Jacobo Ramon’s name is not the only one being praised.
“Chelsea have four or five names on their list for the centre-back position and we will provide further details in the coming days.”
Ramon, a former Real Madrid youngster, is 6ft 5in tall and had a fantastic spell with Cesc Fabregas’ FC Como last season, helping them qualify for the Champions League.
He looks like Cole Palmer in his prime: Chelsea in contract talks with £100m England star
Another Cole Palmer could join Chelsea this summer.
He started 30 games in Serie A and attributed much of his development to the former Chelsea midfielder, claiming their connection was “perfect”.
Whether he ultimately ends up in the manager’s old stomping grounds may depend on other targets emerging in the coming days.
Chelsea fans, what do you think of the club’s goals so far this summer? Let us know in the comments section below.
