‘I need to bite my tongue.’
Reece James’ personal trainer has appeared to suggest there are problems behind the scenes at Chelsea after the defender’s latest injury setback.
James made his first appearance in two months after he missed the World Cup with a knee injury but was forced off after 53 minutes in the 2-0 win against Bournemouth on Tuesday.
Blues boss Graham Potter admitted after the win at Stamford Bridge that he was “concerned” about the severity of the injury, but stressed that they must wait for the full outcome.
“[It’s] too soon,” he said. “It’s obviously the same area, so we are concerned. We will have to wait for the next 24-48 hours.
“There was a sort of chop and he felt something there. We will have to see the extent of it. At the moment we are just at a stage of hoping it isn’t as bad and keeping our fingers crossed.”
The 23-year-old looked visibly upset and frustrated by his latest setback before being replaced by Cesar Azipilicueta and after the game, the Chelsea full-back’s trainer, James Ralph, seemed less than impressed with the decision for him to feature.
Ralph posted to his Instagram story three emojis inciting anger followed by the caption: “I need to bite my tongue despite having ALOT to say…”. He has since deleted the story.
Alongside his work with the women’s England Rugby side and the GB Modern Pentathlon team, Ralph has been working with James for the past 18 months.
The personal trainer – who has a self-proclaimed ‘no nonsense style’ – regularly shares content of him working with James whether that be in the gym, James’ house or the football pitch.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CPfis0yHyTo/
He also works with Chelsea teammate Ruben Loftus-Cheek and ex-Blues defender, and current AC Milan centre back, Fikayo Tomori.
Both appear to have a good relationship and Ralph has described his client as a “hugely dominant athlete” with the “perfect work ethic”.
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