Chelsea's hopes for a strong performance this weekend have taken a hit as captain Reece James has suffered yet another hamstring injury, ruling him out of the team's upcoming Premier League match against Leicester City. Head coach Enzo Maresca confirmed the unfortunate news during a press conference on Thursday.

The 24-year-old defender has been plagued by recurrent muscular injuries in recent seasons, leading to a frustrating struggle to maintain his fitness. After a five-month absence, he made his return to action just two weeks ago, only to now face yet another setback in his career.

Maresca stated, "We have for sure just one injured player, that is Reece. Unfortunately, he felt something small and we don’t want to take any risk for the weekend." This news leaves fans anxious, wondering how this latest injury will impact both James and the team's performance moving forward.

The head coach elaborated, “It's a hamstring. It's a muscular problem. We don't want to take, as I said, any risks for this weekend. Hopefully, it's not something long.” After enduring a difficult season last year where James played only 482 minutes of first-team football due to similar injuries, this is a concerning trend for both the player and the club.

James underwent surgery in December 2022 in an effort to address his chronic hamstring issues and suffered another setback during the preseason tour in the United States earlier this summer. Maresca has been cautious with James's return, opting to gradually integrate him back into full match fitness, recognizing that he might struggle to handle the rigors of playing two games in a week.

Since his return, James had reeled off several consecutive matches against formidable opponents such as Liverpool, Newcastle, and Manchester United, before contributing as a late substitute in the draw with Arsenal just before the international break. However, his latest injury means he will not be on the pitch for the vital clash against Leicester at the King Power Stadium this Saturday.

In a bittersweet twist, Maresca will return to face his former team, Leicester City, having led them to Championship glory and promotion to the Premier League last season. “I’m excited and thankful; it was a fantastic season. The owner and their family are fantastic people. They care for players, staff, all the people that work in the club,” he expressed, reminiscing about his time at the club.

As Chelsea stands third in the Premier League, nine points off the lead, the team has shown promise early in the season, although the loss of James could complicate their campaign as they aim for a top position. Leicester, currently in 15th place, will be eager to capitalize on the circumstances surrounding Chelsea.

Fans and analysts are left wondering how James's absence might affect the team's performance, especially against a Leicester side looking to build momentum and avoid slipping closer to the relegation zone. Given the unpredictability of injuries in sports, the situation remains fluid, and the Chelsea faithful can only hope that their captain's recovery is swift, allowing him to return stronger than ever.

Stay tuned for more updates on James's condition and Chelsea's journey this season!