Chelsea: Enzo Maresca backs Reece James for immediate England recall

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has backed Reece James to make an immediate return to the England squad.

James last month played his first match for Chelsea in almost a year when he captained the Blues in a 2-1 defeat to Liverpool, and he has since played the full 90 minutes in subsequent league games against Newcastle and Manchester United.

Lee Carsley will name his final squad as interim manager of the national team on Thursday, ahead of games against Greece and the Republic of Ireland later in November.

A five-minute substitute cameo in a March 2023 qualifier against Italy is the only appearance James has made for England since September 2022, due to a serious knee injury and a string of hamstring issues which eventually required surgery.

Speaking about James on Wednesday, Chelsea manager Maresca said: “We are happy in the way he is progressing with us, in terms of physical condition, and also the way he is playing with us. We are happy with that. About the international team, no idea [if he will be selected].”

Maresca was asked whether he hoped James would be spared the added load of travelling away with England this month.

He replied: “No, I love my players joining their international teams, because that means it is good for the club, good for the player, good for the manager, good for all of them. But I don’t know if he is going to be with the international team.”