Chelsea Captain Reece James Suffers Further Injury Concern

In England's first two games at this summer's FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico, Chelsea defender Reece James played 90 minutes in both for England, under his former Blues boss Thomas Tuchel. 

It is quite rare for James to play consecutive 90 minutes, but Tuchel decided not to bring another full back when Tino Livramento pulled out of the squad with injury, instead calling Chelsea centre half Trevoh Chalobah, so there is not much alternative in that position. 

Well, there will have to be now. Indeed, as it has been widely reported that the right-back will miss England's next two games - their final group stage game against Panama tonight (the 27th of June), as well as their round of 32 game.

However, things could be even worse. Rob Dorsett from Sky Sports is implying it could be even more than two games, with a report stating that, unless England reach the "latter stages", his tournament could be over. Reading between the lines, that would suggest he is out for a hypothetical round of 16 tie at the very least. 

Meanwhile, Dorsett also said that James would have gone off with an injury against Ghana in the closing minutes, but Tuchel had already made all five subs, so he could not come off. Probably should have just firmed playing with ten men for the closing minutes really.

The maddest thing of all this is Tuchel said "Nobody could see (the injury) coming, Reece was in good shape." Sorry, but he is completely deluded if he could not see a James injury coming. As his former Chelsea manager, he should know more than anyone. 

To not call up another full back when Livramento pulled out was just madness. It already felt like they were one full back short before that injury, never mind afterwards. Djed Spence can deputise for James, but he started left back against Ghana, so this would leave England with just Nico O'Reilly in that position. 

Even Chelsea fans, who were very happy for one of their own in Chalobah to get the call up, were surprised by the call. He probably even was so himself. Just crazy from Tuchel who is known to make weird decisions at times. Every manager does I suppose, but his feel so stark. 

As touched on earlier, England will play Panama tonight at 22:00 BST, let's see if Chalobah makes his World Cup debut.