REVEALED: Why Reece James was Replaced from the Starting lineup at Last minute
Injury-prone Chelsea captain pulls out moments before kick-off, with Andrey Santos stepping in as Blues go on to secure Club World Cup win.
Chelsea captain Reece James was forced to pull out of the starting XI just moments before kick-off in Friday night’s FIFA Club World Cup quarterfinal against Palmeiras after picking up an injury during the warm-up.
The 25-year-old right-back was set to lead his team out in a crucial knockout tie but had to be replaced by Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos after suffering what appeared to be yet another frustrating setback.
James has been plagued by injuries in recent years, and this latest blow is another worrying development for both the player and Chelsea fans. The England international has already missed 21 games during the 2024-25 season due to recurring hamstring issues, and the severity of this new injury is yet to be confirmed.
According to FIFA’s official squad list for the match, James was moved to the bench and listed as “injured,” although Chelsea have not yet issued a detailed update on his condition.
Despite the disruption, the Blues managed to stay focused and secured a 2-1 win over Palmeiras to book their place in the Club World Cup semifinals. Cole Palmer opened the scoring with a well-taken goal before an own goal from Palmeiras defender A. Giay sealed the result.
James had played a key role in Chelsea’s progress through the earlier stages of the tournament, scoring in the round-of-16 victory over Benfica last Saturday. He played 81 minutes in that match, helping his side to a 4-1 win and showing signs that he was regaining match sharpness.
But Friday’s incident will be a concern for head coach Enzo Maresca, who has seen his captain in and out of the squad throughout the campaign due to fitness issues. James remains a crucial figure at the club, and his availability for the remainder of the Club World Cup — and beyond — will now be under close watch.
With Andrey Santos stepping up in his place and the team continuing their winning run, Chelsea fans will hope the squad can maintain momentum — but they’ll be anxiously awaiting positive news on their captain.
