Reece James: "The biggest thing for me this season is staying fit"

The

international had a hamstring tear that kept him out of action for several months last season and has expressed his unhappiness at being often sidelined due to injury.

, who renewed his contract with Chelsea at the start of September, has stated that his primary objective for the upcoming season is to avoid injury and frequently contribute to the Blues.

"The biggest thing for me this season is staying fit, not getting injured. I think last season I did well with my performances – my stats, goals and assists, clean sheets were all the best they’ve been – but I was injured for maybe three or four months and that was too long,"

he told Chelsea's official website.

"Obviously it’s tough when you get an injury. I think the first day or two are the hardest – when you realise how long you’re going to be out. Then you start working back and looking on the bright side. You try and set targets, but I did that last season and came back too soon, and got injured again."

As an important player,

will need James to remain healthy throughout the 2022–23 season. Blues head coach Thomas Tuchel was let go in September following a shaky start to the season. With the German gone, pressure is on

Graham Potter

to immediately restore the team's success and put them back in the hunt for hardware. After a week off for international duty, the Blues will face off against

Crystal Palac

e at Selhurst Park on Saturday.

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