William Gallas believes that Reece James’ fitness concerns are the fault of changes to the medical team at Chelsea.
After two years of Todd Boehly’s leadership at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea remain in flux and they are starting the season with another new manager, Enzo Maresca.
Over the summer there have been plenty more arrivals of young players on long contracts, and their squad is one of the largest in top flight football.
Gallas thinks the extensive changes behind the scenes include the medical side of things, and he blames that for James’ fitness problems.
The full-back has suffered another injury and there is no sign that he is over the regular niggles that continue to dog him.
He told Genting Casino: “Since the new owners have arrived, it has been problem after problem. They changed everything at the club, including the medical department, and the club are still suffering from that decision now. It can’t be bad luck for one team to get so many injuries.
“The new season starts this week, and the club captain Recce James is injured. Again.
“He has a problem with his hamstring and will be out for three weeks to a month. Chelsea will have to be very careful with him because he’s got such a bad history with injuries.
“The spotlight was on him anyway because he’s the club captain and one of Chelsea’s best players, but he must stay fit. The only silver-lining to James’ injury is that Malo Gusto can step in, like he did last season, and perform well.”
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