Reece James has been handed the fitness update Chelsea needed before England’s World Cup meeting with Mexico.
talkSPORT reports that scan results on the Chelsea captain’s hamstring have come back positive, leaving him in contention for Sunday’s last-16 tie at the Azteca Stadium.
That is a sharp shift from the concern which followed his absence from England’s previous two matches. Sky Sports reported that James and Jarell Quansah missed the DR Congo game, with Djed Spence expected to fill England’s right-back vacancy.
ReadChelsea previously framed that Mexico race as an early management call for Xabi Alonso. The latest update gives Chelsea a cleaner read, even if it does not remove the risk.
Alonso Gets A Clearer Right-Back Picture
James has still been managing a hamstring issue during a high-pressure tournament. England’s next assignment also comes in Mexico City’s altitude, which makes any return valuable only if it avoids another stop-start cycle.
talkSPORT’s match guide confirms England face Mexico at 1am UK time on Monday, July 6, at the Azteca Stadium. For Chelsea, the timing is awkward but useful.
If James is held back, Alonso gets another reminder that his captain’s pre-season workload must be controlled. If he returns, Chelsea can judge how his body responds under knockout pressure before the squad regroups at Cobham.
That is the real value for Chelsea. This is not only about whether James plays for England. It is about how much confidence Alonso can take from the captain’s latest fitness step before pre-season starts.
