Chelsea defender Reece James has withdrawn from the England national team after picking up an injury in the weekend clash against Liverpool.
The 25-year-old sustained the issue during Chelsea’s 2-1 victory at Stamford Bridge and will now miss the upcoming international fixtures.
England confirmed the news through an official statement on their website on Monday morning.
Tuchel’s faith in James continues
Since taking charge of the national team, England manager Thomas Tuchel has shown great belief in Reece James.
Tuchel brought him back into the squad shortly after assuming the role, praising his versatility and consistency.
James had been enjoying a steady run of games this season after a long period of injury troubles that disrupted his progress in recent years.
At Chelsea, James has been one of the team’s key players under boss Enzo Maresca. He has featured both as a full-back and in midfield, depending on the system used by the Italian coach.
Tuchel, who managed James during his time at Chelsea, also relied heavily on the defender when the Blues won the UEFA Champions League in 2021.
The withdrawal will come as a disappointment to both Tuchel and the player, who had been eager to make his mark again at international level.
James has struggled with different injuries in previous campaigns, often missing crucial games for both club and country.
O’Reilly handed his first senior call-up
In place of James, Manchester City youngster Nico O’Reilly has been called up to the senior England squad for the first time.
The 20-year-old defender moves up from the Under-21 side after impressing with his performances this season
He has represented England across several age levels, from Under-15s to Under-20s, and continues to progress through the national ranks.
O’Reilly, a product of City’s Academy, has already made nine appearances for Pep Guardiola’s side in all competitions this campaign.
His inclusion in the senior squad marks another significant step in his development and rewards his strong displays for club and country.
England will now prepare for their upcoming fixtures without James, as Tuchel and his coaching staff monitor the full-back’s recovery ahead of his return to action.
