The Chelsea captain is progressing significantly in his recovery, with his return scheduled for late April or early May. It is a race against time if he wants to make England's World Cup squad.
According to The Telegraph, the 26-year-old defender is progressing satisfactorily and could return to action in late April or early May. This timeline would dispel the doctors' initial fears, who pointed to a two-month absence that threatened to end his season in the league and ruin his hopes of participating in the World Cup.
Having been out of action since the loss to Newcastle, James now fights to prove his fitness before Tuchel closes the 26-player squad for the summer tournament.
Tuchel has made James his first option at right-back, a position that remained problematic during England's recent friendlies against Uruguay and Japan. Although players like Ben White and Tino Livramento had the chance to prove their worth in his absence, neither managed to bring the same level of tactical security as the Chelsea captain.
Djed Spence and Ezri Konsa are also options for that position, but Trent Alexander-Arnold of Real Madrid appears to be in a race against time to earn a spot in Tuchel's plans.
James has put together a statistically impressive season with Chelsea, playing 27 Premier League matches in which he has scored two goals and provided five assists before being forced to spend time off the field. His importance to the Stamford Bridge hierarchy has been further consolidated with a long-term contract extension that runs until 2032, reflecting his status as a key piece of the project.
Having already played 22 matches for the England national team since his debut, he is considered essential to a squad that aspires to take another step on the world stage, given his experience at the 2020 European Championship.
Chelsea, which sits in sixth place in the Premier League before hosting Manchester City on Sunday, remains eager to recover its captain as soon as possible. Although the upcoming match against City comes too soon for the 26-year-old, his return in early May will serve as a fundamental physical test ahead of the World Cup.
There is no doubt that a successful return to competition without any real major problems would allow Tuchel to finalize his defensive plans with his starting right back fully available for the summer tournament.
Join The Conversation
Roundtablesports is Free to join! You can post your own thoughts, comment on articles, and start conversations with our Roundtable Writers.
Download the FREE Roundtable APP, and get even easier access to your favorite teams and news!