Reece James is expected to miss England’s World Cup team after Chelsea announced the right-back would be out for eight weeks due to a knee injury.
The 22-year-old was taken off the field for medical attention after suffering the injury late in the second half of Tuesday’s 2-0 Champions League triumph against AC Milan.
Chelsea released a statement, “Following the knee injury sustained in our away match against AC Milan, Reece has received treatment from the Chelsea medical department and consulted a specialist this weekend.”
“After consultation between all parties, Reece will now undergo a rehabilitation program and is expected to be out for eight weeks.”
The World Cup starts on November 20, and England’s group stage campaign gets started the following day against Iran.
Three of England’s top right-backs have recently succumbed to injuries. Following groin surgery, Kyle Walker of Manchester City is a serious concern for Southgate’s team; his selection depends on his recuperation. Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool is also out due to injury.
Alexander-Arnold suffered an ankle injury in Liverpool’s 3-2 loss to Arsenal last Sunday, and he was sidelined for a fortnight as a result.
Who is on call for backup?
Ben White, who is flourishing on the right of league leaders Arsenal’s defense, is by far the top backup prospect to join the England squad in the case of a right-back crisis.
In England, White’s versatility makes him a quintessential “Southgate player”; the manager frequently favors and selects individuals like Walker, Trippier, Bukayo Saka, and Raheem Sterling, who can play numerous positions.
The Arsenal defender, naturally a center-back, has been outstanding for the club this season at right-back. He can also play right center-back in a three-man defense and, if necessary, central midfield.
White plays a varied tactical style. He adopted an infield stance at right-back to begin the season, but he recently demonstrated against Tottenham and Liverpool that he could blast forward outside his right winger, England international Saka, at Arsenal.
White, who was a member of the Euro 2020 team two summers ago, has some experience playing in a tournament-type setting, and given that his last two England caps came in a right-back position, Southgate is under pressure to explain why the Arsenal defender isn’t already in this fall’s lineup.
Apart from Ben White, only two other right-backs – Kyle Walker-Peters of Southampton and James Justin of Leicester—have been chosen by Southgate in the previous 12 months.
Who is going to be on England’s defense?