Chelsea captain Reece James celebrated his first Premier League start in over two months by helping his side beat Wolverhampton Wanderers on Monday night.
Chelsea recorded a convincing 3-1 home victory over Wolves yesterday, which is a result that lifts them up to fourth in the league table.
For Reece James, he made his first league start since early November. The right-back got 77 minutes under his belt as he slotted back into the XI effortlessly at right-back.
Real Madrid would like to sign Chelsea’s James, but it was another reminder this week of just how good the defender can be when he’s fit and in the side. We certainly wouldn’t want to lose the academy graduate from the Blues squad at any cost!
Chelsea fans make same point about Reece James after display versus Wolves
A selection of Chelsea supporters raved about James for the quality of his individual performance at home to Wolves.
In particular, many Blues fans on X find it ‘insane’ that the 25-year-old defender continues to look so good straight away whenever he returns from an injury absence.
One fan wrote: “Anybody else notice how dominant Reece James has looked since coming back? Aerially, defensively, physically imposing, leadership, etc. I can’t believe how easily he slots right back into the side after injury.”
“How Reece James comes back from all his injuries and plays like he never left is insane. Top player,” another posted.
“It’s actually insane how Reece James elevates this squad every time he’s on the pitch,” another said.
One supporter claimed: “Love how Reece James always comes back from injury and plays world class as if he was never injured.”
“Reece James has pulled his hamstring 16 times and hasn’t gotten any worse. How is that possible?” another shared.
James has really impressed since his most recent comeback from fitness, so let’s hope he can enjoy a proper run of games during the second half of the season. If he can, there’s no doubt he can be an integral figure in the line-up.
Chelsea boss Maresca claimed James is growing as a leader after previously suggesting it’s an area of his game where he can improve.
Reece James returns with a bang
James has played three times across all competitions since coming back from a hamstring problem. In each appearance, he’s certainly made his mark.
Here is a look at how the Blues full-back has performed in the last few matches:
| Date | Competition | Match | Minutes played | Goals | Assists | Match rating |
| 20 January | Premier League | Chelsea 3-1 Wolves | 77 | 0 | 0 | 8.3 |
| 14th January | Premier League | Chelsea 2-2 Bournemouth | 35 | 1 | 0 | 7.8 |
| 11 January | FA Cup | Chelsea 5-0 Morecambe | 45 | 0 | 1 | 8.0 |
Chelsea fans raise a brilliant point that James doesn’t allow his significant injuries to negatively impact his performances when he does actually get on the pitch. It’s certainly very unusual that he can keep such high standards.
The Reece James injury history is clearly holding him back from achieving such gigantic potential, so let’s see if he gets a bit more luck in 2025.
