CHELSEA captain Reece James will miss the first three games of the 2024-25 season due to a suspension.
The full-back was sent off after kicking out at Joao Pedro during Chelsea’s Premier League clash with Brighton.
Referee Michael Salisbury missed the retaliation at first, but brandished the red card following a VAR review.
Chelsea went on to win 2-1 thanks to goals from Cole Palmer and Christopher Nkunku.
However, James‘ dismissal put a damper on the celebrations.
The 24-year-old will now miss four games through suspension – three for violent conduct plus an additional one because it was his second straight-red card of the season.
It means he will miss Chelsea‘s final match of the season against Bournemouth.
He will also be unavailable for the club’s first three Premier League games next season.
James made his return from injury last week when he came off the bench against Nottingham Forest.
His last appearance before that came against Everton in December.
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The defender suffered a hamstring injury during the match and was forced to undergo surgery, keeping him sidelined for five months.
James was named Chelsea captain last summer following the departure of Cesar Azpilicueta.
However, due to his injury issues Conor Gallagher has taken the armband on several occasions.
