by Reece James will miss the rest of Chelsea’s season after injuring a hamstring in last week’s defeat to Real Madrid, Frank Lampard has confirmed.
James completed the match at Stamford Bridge against the European champions but a scan revealed the extent of the problem meaning he will play no further part in the club’s hugely disappointing season.
The English defender’s form has been one of the few positives of Chelsea’s season, with his performances either at right-back as part of a back four or at full-back in front of three having been consistently excellent when available.
However, fitness issues have limited him to 16 Premier League appearances and he hasn’t been able to string together a string of games since missing the World Cup with England last year.
Lampard confirmed Mason Mount, who continues to be linked with a move away from the club, is also unlikely to play again before the final game of the season.
The midfielder is expected to undergo surgery following a long-term pelvic problem and, with uncertainty over a new contract, the Englishman could have played his last game for the club.
“It’s a blow to all of us because they are great players,” said Lampard. “Reece has a hamstring injury that he got in the match against Madrid, he got through the match but we scanned him in the following days.
“Mason has been carrying around this pelvic injury for quite a while, definitely before me. The medical staff have tried, but we’ve reached a point where he’s going to have a minor surgery.
“It’ll probably take four weeks of recovery and we all know where it’s going to take us.”
Lampard declined to comment on the club’s ongoing search for a permanent manager.
The PA news agency understands talks are well advanced with Mauricio Pochettino, although an offer has yet to be made to the former Tottenham manager.
It is understood the club are still weighing other options should a deal fail, including Burnley boss Vincent Kompany, but that Pochettino is now the preferred candidate.
Lampard, who was appointed interim manager following Graham Potter’s sacking on 2 April, is under contract until the end of the season, and although the side have little to play after their Champions League elimination, he sees the season as a whole. other than Above.
Chelsea are 11th and, barring a dramatic improvement in form during their last seven league games, are unlikely to be involved in the race for Europa League or Conference League qualification.
They face Brentford at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.
“For me it doesn’t (it feels like the season is over),” Lampard said. “I am the manager of Chelsea, I have a great connection with this club and I am proud and so should players. It’s definitely not over.
“I don’t have a mentality that there is nothing to play for. I’ve been lucky enough to be on teams that were challenging towards the end of the season, but it’s not a given. We were lucky at Chelsea to have had him for 15-20 years. Many clubs with great status in the Premier League don’t.
“It’s important (to realize) that when you have a long career you don’t compete every season, it’s not a given. It depends on your personal pride and responsibility, wearing the shirt.
“We have seven games, four against the first four [three] away from home. Running in is really tough, there’s no doubt about that. My interest is in how the players react because these are difficult games. There’s always something about those games. I understand that and the players need to understand that.
“I’m not going to get involved in any future talks with the coach, because it’s all speculation. Simple as that.”
