Reece James could be sidelined until after Christmas – Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso

The 26-year-old was injured in training before last weekend’s 5-1 win at home to Bournemouth and has undergone successful surgery, described by the club as a “minor” operation.

James played 29 times in the Premier League last season, the most appearances he had made in a league campaign since 2020/21, having previously suffered from a succession of injuries that limited his playing time.

“We’re all disappointed for him,” said Alonso. “He wanted to have a good start after the international break, but in the last training he picked up an injury.

“We wanted to be cautious and to wait for the results of the tests, but now the surgery has been successful. We’ll keep supporting him. He’s a great influence even when he’s not available. We wish him the best recovery.

“It’s not going to be short, it’s not going to be two or three weeks, it’s going to be longer. We’ll see before Christmas, after Christmas. Time will tell. Things have to be done properly.

“It’s a disappointment for everyone. But we have a squad for that, to deal with the injuries.”

James was not one of the five players to withdraw from England duty during the most recent international break, though he does now look set to miss the next international window when England will face Croatia at Wembley and an away game against Spain.

He has mostly been used as a midfielder this season by Alonso rather than his usual right-position, as did former boss Enzo Maresca on occasion in previous years.

It is understood the plan had been to continue to use the England international in midfield, though Chelsea appear relatively well equipped to cope in his absence.

Moises Caicedo made his first start of the season against Bournemouth and made an immediate impact in helping the team to control the game, something that the side had struggled with during Alonso’s first few matches.

Jordan Henderson started alongside Caicedo and scored his first two Blues goals, whilst Romeo Lavia, another player to have suffered badly with fitness since joining Chelsea, has made an injury-free start to the season.

“I think we’ll be able to manage well with the players we have, the ones who have been playing and who are available,” said Alonso.

“Reece is still a very important player. He’s the captain, a great influence. He has a good mentality and we need him.”

The captaincy is set to alternate between Caicedo and Levi Colwill during James’s absence though Alonso called for leadership to come from elsewhere in the squad.

“We have Moises, we have Levi, players who take that responsibility,” he said. “They take the role in a perfect way. (Players) see them with the armband and it’s no problem.

“You can be captain without an armband. Once you wear it, you have to be proud and take the responsibility. But you can have leadership without it.”