Report: FA unhappy with Chelsea for their decision on Reece James injury after win vs AC Milan

The FA is unhappy with Chelsea over the handling of Reece James’ injury after the AC Milan game

According to Mail Online (h/t Metro), The FA (Football Association, England) is unhappy with Chelsea over the handling of Reece James‘ injury which he picked up in the game against AC Milan on Tuesday.

James suffered a knee injury in the Champions League at San Siro during the Blues’ 2-0 win over the Italians. The injury is now deemed serious enough to rule the Englishman out of the World Cup.

Although the tests that were done showed no requirement for surgery, the 22-year-old is expected to be out for eight weeks. With the World Cup starting in five weeks, it is almost impossible for him to be fit to travel to Qatar.

Reece James of Chelsea leaves the field injured against AC Milan as Jorginho watches in the background. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Reece James picked up the knee injury against AC Milan. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Chelsea allowed James to remain in Milan the day after the game and then travel back to London. It is now revealed that the player’s injury worsened overnight in Italy. So, the FA is unhappy with the club for not immediately sending him back to the capital on the same night, rather than waiting for a day.

The 22-year-old flew back without knee braces, but the tests and scan in England on Saturday showed that he has suffered further ligament damage to his knee.

The absence of James will not only hurt the FA and the England national team, but he would also be a massive miss for Chelsea in the remaining games before the World Cup break.

MILAN, ITALY - OCTOBER 11: Reece James of Chelsea FC in action during the UEFA Champions League group E match between AC Milan and Chelsea FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on October 11, 2022 in Milan, Italy.
Both England and Chelsea will miss James for the time he will be out injured. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

The Englishman is one of the best players in the world who can play in multiple positions on the right-hand side of the defence. His delivery and surge from that side will be missed.

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Nothing can be done to change the past now though. It was an unfortunate injury that is ruling out a superstar from the World’s biggest sporting event. The hope from Chelsea’s viewpoint would be that he is back in the thick of things when the season resumes on Boxing Day.