Moments before the 30-minute mark in the match on Saturday, Reece James went down to signal he could not continue as he unlaced his boot. He picked up an injury that didn't look too serious at the time, after being caught by Jack Grealish earlier in the game.
The 21-year-old was making his first Premier League start for the Blues since August after a solid display in the cup midweek. He was enjoying a good battle with Manchester City's Grealish on the wing before he eventually was forced off. He picked up an injury that didn't look too serious at the time, but turned out to be just that.
Thomas Tuchel immediately asked Thiago Silva to start warming up and brought on the Brazilian to replace James as he was assisted off the pitch. Silva slotted into the centre-back role, with Cesar Azpilicueta moving over to the right wing-back role.
Thomas Tuchel got asked about James’ injury after the game. He said: “I don’t know about Reece at the moment. He twisted his ankle and it was very painful for him. I have no other news on him at this stage but let’s see how he is in the next few days.”
Since then, Ben Dinnery on Twitter, who focuses his time on injuries, has tweeted an update he thinks on the injury and it's not good news.
Chelsea FC Correspondent for Goal Nizaar Kinsella tweeted about the injury saying:
For now, we will have to wait and see what the scans show in the next few days, but it's likely James misses the next two matches against Juventus and Southampton - then we have ourselves a two-week international break which might come at the perfect time for James and his injury.
Waiting in the wings if James is out for a few weeks for Chelsea will be Callum Hudson-Odoi, who's been used in the right wing-back role a few occasions so far this season but with the team starting to face weaker opponents that are likely to sit back and invite pressure, it might be a perfect chance for him to pick up some form and consistency with a solid run in the side.
A strong amount of the Chelsea fan base has wanted to see Hudson-Odoi played more attacking in a left-sided role to get the best out of him but this opening into the side should not be passed up as he struggles to get game time under Tuchel. This could be the chance he needs to kick on and I, for one, hope he doesn't let it slip.
How worried are you if Reece James is out for over a month? Follow our CareFreeChelsea editor Scott (CarefreeYouth) on Twitter to get involved in the discussion and give us your thoughts in the comments section below.
