Chelsea talisman explains “the plan” which should prepare him for Premier League return next week | OneFootball

Chelsea battered Morecambe 5-0 yesterday, but most people’s highlight actually came before kick off, when we saw the team sheets.

Romeo Lavia and Reece James both returned from injuries to make the starting lineup, and there was a great buzz around the stadium to see them back out on the grass.

Reece James spoke to Chelsea TV after the game about his return and what the next step of the plan was:

“I was pleased to be back out there and playing 45 minutes was always the plan,” James said.

“I’ve been out for a little while, I’ve obviously wanted to get back out there to help the team and we felt that this looked a good fixture to do that.”

It really was the most perfectly timed FA Cup third round in terms of James’ recovery. He had already been training regularly with the team for a while, and even featured on the bench a couple of times. He just needed an easier fixture to get stuck into for a return, and he got it.

James returns in time to take the pressure off Malo Gusto

Malo Gusto fights for the ball. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

With 45 match minutes under his belt, he has until Tuesday night to rest up. We don’t think he will be risked from the start in that game, but he should get on the pitch in the latter stages – if Enzo Maresca breaks his bizarre new habit of not making any subs.

There’s then 6 days until we face Wolves on Monday Night Football – James should be fully ready for selection at that point if he plays another chunk on Tuesday.

His alternate Malo Gusto has not been in the best form in recent absence, and being able to rotate back and forth between them should help out both of them for the second half of this season.