Reece James makes decision on hamstring surgery

Chelsea captain Reece James is set to undergo surgery on his latest hamstring injury in the hope of finally overcoming a problem that has plagued his young career.

James suffered his third serious hamstring issue of 2023 earlier this month and has seen a series of specialists to try and determine the cause, as well as the best possible solution for the problem.

Sources have confirmed to 90min that James has sought several opinions on his hamstrings and the decision has been made to send the right-back under the knife. It is understood to have been mutually agreed by James, manager Mauricio Pochettino and club officials.

James is now expected to head to Finland for an operation which will rule him out of action for up to four months.

An April return would see James enter into a race against time to prove his fitness for Euro 2024, which will get underway in Germany on June 14. The Chelsea defender missed the latest World Cup because of a similar issue.

James has featured just nine times in all competitions under new boss Pochettino, who has plenty of experience selecting a lineup without the player he hand-picked as his new captain.

Axel Disasi, a natural centre-back, has spent plenty of time out on the right, while Malo Gusto may be given more opportunities after impressing in his cameo against Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup quarter-final in midweek.

Should Pochettino require further help, he could turn to 17-year-old Josh Acheampong, who has caught the eye across various youth levels this season.

On the other side of defence, left-back Marc Cucurella recently confirmed he had undergone surgery on social media which could rule him out for several months. Vice-captain Ben Chilwell is due to return in January after over three months out with his own hamstring problem.

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