Chelsea's Reece James out for a month after aggravating knee injury against Bournemouth

England right-back, who missed World Cup after operation, calls 2022 'my toughest year'

Soccer Football - Premier League - Chelsea v AFC Bournemouth - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - December 27, 2022 Chelsea's Reece James with manager Graham Potter after being substituted due to injury REUTERS/David Klein EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club /league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.

Reece James of Chelsea is replaced by teammate Cesar Azpilicueta after he was injured against Bournemouth. Getty

Chelsea's Reece James is injured against Bournemouth. Reuters

Chelsea's Reece James leaves the pitch. PA

Chelsea's Cesar Azpilicueta comes on as a substitute to replace Reece James. Reuters

Reece James leaves the pitch. EPA

Chelsea's Reece James looks set to be sidelined for up to a month after he aggravated a knee injury during his comeback in his side's Premier League win against Bournemouth on Tuesday.

The defender missed the World Cup in Qatar after England manager Gareth Southgate decided not to take a risk on his first-choice right-back.

James underwent surgery after suffering the knee injury against AC Milan in the Champions League in October. And after recovering during the winter break, which included a training camp in Abu Dhabi, the defender took his place in Chelsea's starting line-up to face Bournemouth.

But the 23-year-old felt discomfort in the same knee and had to be replaced in the 53rd minute of the 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge. He later left the stadium wearing a knee brace.

Immediately after the game, Chelsea manager Graham Potter said: "We hope it's not as bad as it was and he can have a speedy recovery."

But on Wednesday, James underwent an assessment, with scan results confirming that he faces three to four weeks on the sidelines.

Later that day, the player posted on Twitter: "2022 has been the toughest year to date ... It's naturally effected (sic) me mentally, I'm currently just tryna deal with the cards I've been dealt."

Chelsea v Bournemouth ratings

CHELSEA RATINGS: Kepa Arrizabalaga - 7. Decisive when needed while also showing plenty of composure with the ball at his feet. Dealt with efforts from Jaidon Anthony well. AP

Reece James - 8. Linked up with Raheem Sterling brilliantly and provided quality with his crosses. Had a good shot saved after he beat Jordan Zemura in the box. Worryingly replaced just after half-time. AFP

Kalidou Koulibaly - 7. Played some poor passes in dangerous positions but positioned himself well and defended authoritatively. Made a great header to clear Zemura’s cross, then came close with his head at the other end. AP

Thiago Silva - 7. Overcame an early knock to put in an impressive display, getting across well to stop Dominic Solanke, then cutting out Zemura’s late cross. Played a pass that was cut out in his own box. Getty

Marc Cucurella - 8. Put in a confident defensive display, notably flicking the ball away from Jack Stacey in his own box. Also showed his quality on the ball. Reuters

Denis Zakaria - 8. Looked very confident on his Premier League debut and defended with authority, notably tackling Zemura in his own box. Couldn’t hit the target when opportunities came in the second half. AP

Jorginho - 7. Played a nice pass to Mount in the build-up to the opening goal and continued to move the ball well. Also took up some great defensive positions. AP

Mason Mount - 9. A real livewire, impressively releasing Sterling in the build-up to the opener. He then scored the second with a beautiful strike. Reuters

Raheem Sterling – 8. Linked up brilliantly with James and gave Zemura plenty of problems throughout, setting up Kai Havertz’s opener with a perfectly weighted pass. Had other impressive moments, having a strong strike denied by Travers and picking out Zakaria in the box superbly. Getty

Kai Havertz - 9. Scored the opener with a clinical finish, then laid the ball off nicely for Mount to get Chelsea’s second – although he also dragged a shot wide from a good position. Put in a strong performance and even defended corners well. Reuters

Christian Pulisic - 6. Fired wide with Adam Smith pulling at his shirt, then had a goal ruled out after Havertz was adjudged to have fouled Smith. Often looked frustrated and fired a wild effort off target from a promising position in the second half. EPA

SUBS: Cesar Azpilicueta (James, 53’) – 6. Struggled when Bournemouth ran at him, although he also nodded back to Kepa when a potentially dangerous ball was played through. Delivered a great cross for Koulibaly’s chance. Reuters

Conor Gallagher (Zakaria, 82’) – N/R. Saw a shot from a promising position blocked by Lloyd Kelly after doing well to cut inside Zemura. Reuters

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Pulisic, 82’) – N/R. Played a nice ball through to start a move but was halted by Marcos Senesi when trying to make a burst forward of his own. Trevoh Chalobah (Sterling, 88’) – N/R. Reuters

BOURNEMOUTH RATINGS: Mark Travers - 6. Despite conceding twice, he made three impressive saves to deny James, Sterling and Mount. AFP

Jack Stacey - 4. Often outdone by Cucurella and couldn’t squeeze his touch past the Spaniard after getting into the box. Was taken off at half time. PA

Adam Smith - 5. His pull on Pulisic proved enough to put the American off without conceding a penalty, although he often struggled to keep up with the winger. Got back brilliantly to deny Havertz as he ran through. Reuters

Marcos Senesi - 6. Got an important touch on crosses from James and Sterling. Also did well to rob the ball from Mount, then won the ball from Zakaria well in the build-up to Christie’s chance. PA

Lloyd Kelly - 5. Looked very indecisive in the early stages but grew into the game as it progressed, making impressive interventions to stop crosses into the box during the second half. Blocked Gallagher’s late shot. AFP

Jordan Zemura - 6. Given a real headache by Sterling, not just because he clashed heads with the winger after being beaten to the ball. However, he battled well and also caused danger with his runs forward. Reuters

Lewis Cook - 7. Battled well throughout, notably putting in a great tackle to prevent Pulisic from breaking forward, while he also did well to cut out Sterling’s pass. Reuters

Jefferson Lerma - 5. Did nowhere near enough to stop Mount from scoring his goal, although he did have bursts of positive play, including when he played the ball out to Ryan Christie. Smashed a shot horribly off target. EPA

Philip Billiing - 4. His attempt at defending for the Mount goal looked lazy and there were plenty of times where he struggled to make any real impact on the game. Reuters

Dominic Solanke - 7. The former Blues striker made a brilliant burst forward to win a free-kick in the opening minute and continued to be very busy. Was unlucky that nothing came of him winning the ball back inside Chelsea’s box and to see his header go marginally wide. EPA

Kieffer Moore - 4. Lost the ball too easily before the end of the first half and struggled to really make his mark on the game. Reuters

SUBS: Jaidon Anthony (Stacey, HT) - 6. Completely outdone by James but grew into the game and hit a shot from range that was saved by Kepa. His free-kick went straight at Kepa. Reuters

Ryan Christie (Billing, 66’) - 6. Had positive moments as he tried to make things happen but often couldn’t quite complete the final pass. Was denied by Kepa from a tight angle. AFP

Siriki Dembele (Moore, 85’) – N/R. Provided energy and delivered the cross for Solanke’s late chance. AP