Troy Deeney questions ‘strange’ Chelsea decision following latest injury blow

Troy Deeney believes the determination to name Reece James arsenic Chelsea skipper looks ‘strange’ with hindsight fixed his well-documented wounded issues.

The Blues academy postgraduate was named the club’s skipper successful August 2023 pursuing the departure of Cesar Azpilicueta but has endured a pugnacious spell with injuries since then.

The Englishman featured successful Chelsea’s past 4 Premier League games – his archetypal minutes of the play – earlier the planetary break, but is present facing different spell connected the sidelines.

Enzo Maresca is not abbreviated of options astatine full-back but James’ lack does mean the Italian’s young squad volition beryllium without 1 of his side’s leaders for different play of time.

And fixed James has lone managed to play 654 minutes of shot since being named skipper 15 months ago, Deeney believes the nine indispensable beryllium questioning their determination to manus him the armband.

‘The astir damning happening you tin accidental about Reece James is that you’re amazed erstwhile he’s connected a teamsheet,’ the erstwhile Watford striker told talkSPORT.

‘If he’s got wounded problems which helium intelligibly has, it’s unfortunate. Sometimes it’s conscionable the mode your assemblage is. Some radical bid their champion and they conscionable interruption down.

‘But it conscionable seems to maine that helium ever breaks down. I thought it was unusual to marque him skipper if I’m being wholly honorable for the crushed that he’s ne'er acceptable and available.’

Speaking connected James’ semipermanent Chelsea future, Deeney added: ‘I deliberation he’s successful past accidental saloon arsenic to whether helium volition beryllium astatine Chelsea.

‘Where helium goes aft that is simply a monolithic conflict due to the fact that helium mightiness extremity up, to a lesser scale, successful the Jack Wilshere mould wherever helium has to spell to a Bournemouth on a pay-as-you-play benignant deal.

‘Within 2 years helium could beryllium retired of the crippled and it’s a shame due to the fact that he’s intelligibly talented and a precise bully subordinate but you person to beryllium acceptable and disposable oregon there’s nary constituent having each that talent.’

Following his latest injury, James penned a connection connected his societal media successful which helium vowed to instrumentality stronger from his latest setback.

‘Hello all, I anticipation and privation you’re each well,’ helium said connected Instagram.

‘This connection is to the radical that recognize & person respect for what I’m going through… I admit you truthful much, your enactment and benignant messages spell further than you could ever imagine.

‘And conscionable to interaction connected me… I’m doing okay, been amended and besides been worse. Another situation up accepted. Eventually I’ll travel retired connected top. Against each odds.’

For much stories similar this, check our athletics page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest quality connected Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

MORE: Ruben Amorim makes Erik 10 Hag assertion up of archetypal Manchester United game

MORE: Chelsea top-scorer considering 2025 exit amid frustrations nether Enzo Maresca

MORE: Cole Palmer wounded latest for Chelsea’s Premier League clash vs Leicester City