Chelsea have no intention of selling Reece James despite the club’s captain’s continued struggles with injury.
James has been plagued by fitness problems in recent campaigns and is current sidelined with another hamstring issue. He has totalled just 662 minutes of Premier League football across the last 18 months and speculation has surfaced around a potential exit.
Reports this week have suggested Chelsea are open to his sale, with long-term suitors Real Madrid among the clubs monitoring his situation at Stamford Bridge.
The Spanish giants are targeting a right-back next summer and are also tracking Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is out of contract at Liverpool in the summer. Chelsea, meanwhile, have the emerging Malo Gusto as an alternative at right-back, should James leave.
However, transfer journalist Ben Jacobs has claimed Chelsea have set no asking price for James or have any intent to sell the defender.
James remains an ‘integral’ part of the club’s project and the West Londoners plan to support him through his injury struggles. Confirmation on the extent of his latest hamstring problem is expected this week.
Reece James injury record at Chelsea
Since making his senior debut for Chelsea, James has suffered from 20 separate injury issues.
The 24-year-old has made 162 appearances for Chelsea in all competitions, but has missed 129 games through injury. He has not started more than 25 league games in a season since a loan spell at Wigan Athletic in 2018/19.
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