Reece James faces TWO MONTHS out as Chelsea look to recall Emerson Palmieri from Lyon to solve injury crisis
REECE JAMES will be out for up to two months as Chelsea bid to recall Lyon loanee Emerson Palmieri to ease their defensive injury crisis.
Ben Chilwell was ruled out the rest of the season after an operation on a cruciate ligament injury, but fellow England full-back James avoided surgery on a troubled hamstring.
James limped out of the 1-1 draw with Brighton, sparking the Blues into urgent action.
They are trying to put together a package that would convince Lyon to let them bring back Italy left-back Emerson early.
Manager Thomas Tuchel said: “I don’t want to lie. We look into the situation because we have now a new situation with Ben Chilwell.
“One of the possibilities is the players we know and we love as a person is Emerson.
"But we need to check into details.
“We are discussing and reflecting and this will go on for the next days, maybe weeks.”
The French club have initially rebuffed the request and are confident the terms of the loan for the Brazilian mean there is no automatic option for the Blues to terminate it in January.
But Chelsea remain keen to talk further.
They know recalling Emerson would be cheaper than signing a new player for that position.
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