Chelsea captain Reece James has officially withdrawn from the national team squad after sustaining an injury in his club’s recent match. The Football Association confirmed on Monday that James, who appeared for the full 90 minutes in Chelsea’s 2-1 victory against Liverpool, will not travel for England’s upcoming fixtures.
In his stead, 20-year-old Nico O’Reilly of Manchester City has been added to the squad.
James had been named in Gareth Southgate’s squad to face Wales in a friendly and to contest a World Cup qualifier against Latvia. However, the England setup said in a statement: “Squad update from St. George’s Park: Nico O’Reilly has been added to our squad, while Reece James has withdrawn due to injury.”
Chelsea also confirmed the decision on their club channels, expressing their support for the player’s recovery.
The nature of James’s injury has not been fully disclosed. Reports suggest that he sustained a cut or gash to his shin, possibly in the course of the game against Liverpool, which may have influenced the medical decision.
While managers and officials have not disclosed how long James will be sidelined, the international break gives Chelsea a window to assess and, hopefully, hasten his recovery. The Football Association’s medical examination confirmed the injury, though it offered no further detail on severity.
Chelsea’s own medical team are expected to monitor him closely over the coming days, and the club hopes he may return in time for their next Premier League fixture against Nottingham Forest scheduled for October 18.
James’s withdrawal is particularly disappointing for England because he had recently reclaimed his spot under Southgate. With 21 caps to his name, he has been an important figure in England’s defensive setup.
Before this call-up, he had played nine times for Chelsea in the season, including the match against Liverpool. It is a continuation of the injury challenges he has faced over the years, which have periodically interrupted his club and international career.
The decision to call up Nico O’Reilly is a significant moment for the young defender. O’Reilly, who has represented England at youth levels, now earns his first senior call-up — an opportunity created by James’s misfortune.
He joins the squad ahead of the Wales friendly at Wembley and the qualifier in Riga against Latvia on October 14.
This development also intensifies scrutiny around England’s depth at right-back. Previously, options such as Kyle Walker had been in and out of consideration, and Kieran Trippier has retired from international duty.
Meanwhile, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Tino Livramento are currently out with injury issues. Hence, the decision to bring in a relatively inexperienced player like O’Reilly speaks both to the circumstances and to the faith the England staff and coaching team place in the youth setup.