The FA are unhappy with Chelsea’s treatment of Reece James, who the club confirmed on Saturday would miss the World Cup with a knee injury sustained in their Champions League win over AC Milan last Tuesday.
The England defender hobbled off in the second half of Chelsea’s 2-0 win in the San Siro, but manager Graham Potter gave him permission to stay in Milan to spend a day off with team-mates rather than returning to London for immediate treatment.
FA staff are understood to have queried why James was allowed to stay in Milan given the potentially serious nature of the injury, which is set to rule him out for up to eight weeks and cost him a place in Gareth Southgate’s World Cup squad.
The 22-year-old flew back to London on Wednesday evening and had a scan the following day and had a scan the following day which showed he had sustained knee ligament damage.
James returned to London on an easyJet plane without medical support and his knee was not in a brace, though he was given extra leg room on the flight. Earlier in the day he had posed for pictures with Chelsea fans while appearing to be sightseeing in Milan.
James saw a specialist yesterday and there are no immediate plans for surgery, which may increase his chances of making the World Cup, although that is seen as a long shot.
He is refusing to give up hope, as he has always been a quick healer. Chelsea are also unlikely to rush him back as he has emerged as a key player under Potter.
Chelsea are understood to be standing by their handling of James, who held talks with Potter and club medical staff at the San Siro on Tuesday evening before it was decided he could stay in Milan for the pre-planned day off with several team-mates.
The injury worsened overnight however, and after speaking to the medical team on Wednesday morning he flew back that night.
Chelsea’s medical team have stayed in touch throughout with their counterparts at the FA, who believe James should have returned to London straight away.
Given Chelsea have nine matches in the next four weeks there is bewilderment at Wembley at the club’s willingness to let at injured player spend an additional night abroad even without the added complication of the World Cup.
James’s absence in Qatar is particularly frustrating for Southgate as he is set to be without another right-back in Kyle Walker after groin surgery.
TryNuell
0
Okay bro I understand bruh 😎 that’s nice
😁😁😁
Wissy✅
0
I meant a replacement for his injury sorry my bad he needs a competitor so wen he gets injured we can cope I'm tired of his injuries he can't play over 38games a season wen mount plays 57/58 all season
Okay bro I understand bruh 😎 that’s nice
TryNuell
0
Bro you should’ve said Chelsea need to sign another second choice right back not a replacement so think before you say something cause no one can replace Reece James🤫 are you sure you’re a Chelsea fan
I meant a replacement for his injury sorry my bad he needs a competitor so wen he gets injured we can cope I'm tired of his injuries he can't play over 38games a season wen mount plays 57/58 all season
Wahabcmnoy
0
Are you a coach or what?
I'm here coz of soccer,, n let me tell y something mind yr own business yu can't ask me who l am Tsek
Tudceprsyz
0
sack all the Chelsea doctors they are doing nothing getting money for nothing sack them out
ziynoptz
1
we are going to miss my fever right right buck quick recovery my best
moswanted
0
we need cover for James just like cucurella and chilwell rotate
Solomonclemz
1
Dijon Sterling should return back from loan and cover for James, they can use Lewis Wall too from the academy
Solthyo
0
Chelsea should find a rotational right wing back my opinion is to bring back lampty in January azpi is good but his pace has gone down
Lamptey is more injury prone bro. That's a bad idea
Patricx
1
Chelsea should find a rotational right wing back my opinion is to bring back lampty in January azpi is good but his pace has gone down
Opeyemi12a
2
Why is FA concerned lol
xeira24_
1
FA is concerned now
Cultabz
1
We sacked all our medical stuff what do u expect
Wissy✅
0
he's never fit he's always injured every season last season too and now this season Chelsea should sign a replacement he's very very very good but needs to be consistent on the pitch with matches
Bro you should’ve said Chelsea need to sign another second choice right back not a replacement so think before you say something cause no one can replace Reece James🤫 are you sure you’re a Chelsea fan
Hikcdeiot
0
Chelsea Doctors they are not serius
Hanblstyz
0
Get well soon Jemalo
Zuobdeipz
1
Italian teams and Chelsea, we played Juventus last season Chiwell got knee injuries that took out for almost the whole season, now we played Ac Millan again its Reece James all our best full backs
jikcdkmopy
0
even though J R is not the hopely will against Aston Villa.
Pubabeipry
0
What if he had to see tomori😳😳😳
peebdklmr
5
What difference would it have made and secondary Chelsea are his employers not the FA!
Bankmon
0
So uncle James can not go a season with lout getting injured now
daarchorse
0
Does FA pay his weekly wages?
great question.
TryNuell
2
he's never fit he's always injured every season last season too and now this season Chelsea should sign a replacement he's very very very good but needs to be consistent on the pitch with matches
nuscelptyz
0
Porter must play Chalobah at right back ,, if he don't play on that roll will loose tomorrow Azp must play in front of Chalobah
Are you a coach or what?
Nekclmrsuz
5
it will be very painful for this guy not to make it to the world cup, we Chelsea fans and all football loving people which you quick recovery
Nekclmrsuz
0
it will be very painful for this guy not to make it to the world cup, we Chelsea fans and all football loving people which you quick recovery
Wahabcmnoy
1
chizzychelsea
7
Does FA pay his weekly wages?
Wahabcmnoy
1
Porter must play Chalobah at right back ,, if he don't play on that roll will loose tomorrow Azp must play in front of Chalobah