Painful blow for Chelsea.. star undergoes surgery and will miss four huge games

Chelsea have been hit by a painful blow ahead of one of the toughest runs of their season, after confirmation that one of the most important players in the squad will be out for a long time.

The absence will not be limited to one or two games. It will stretch over several weeks, during which the team will be without their star in four huge fixtures, and head coach Xabi Alonso has now revealed the details.

According to Sky Sports, Chelsea captain Reece James has undergone successful minor surgery on his knee, after picking up the injury in training before the 5-1 win over Bournemouth.

The 26-year-old is expected to be out for around three months, which means he will miss the home games against Tottenham, Manchester United and Liverpool, as well as the trip to Manchester City.

Speaking at his press conference before the trip to Everton, Alonso said: “We are all disappointed for him. We don’t set timelines, but he will be out for several weeks.” He added: “He’ll be close to the team – he’s a great influence. I wish him the best recovery.”

The Spanish coach insisted the injury will not change Chelsea’s plans for the January transfer window: “No, I don’t think so because we expect for that time that he’s back.”

Levi Colwill wore the armband in James’s absence against Bournemouth, and Alonso said vice-captains Colwill, Moises Caicedo and Cole Palmer will have to step up in the coming weeks.