Chelsea manager Liam Rossinier confirmed in the pre-match press conference that captain Reece James is likely to miss the Premier League home game against Leeds United due to a sudden illness.

James's return has been fraught with difficulties. He previously missed two crucial matches—the League Cup against Arsenal and the league away game against Wolves—due to a minor contusion. Rossinier revealed that while James's leg injury is no longer a serious concern, he has unfortunately become the latest victim of the flu virus outbreak that has swept through the Cobham training ground.

"Unfortunately, James fell ill right after recovering from his injury," Rossini said helplessly. According to the head coach, several members of the coaching staff and club personnel have recently contracted the virus, and James is currently the only player affected.

In response to discussions about Chelsea's frequent changes to their starting lineup, Rossinier offered a strong defense. He pointed out that given the players' immense physical and mental strain after a summer of intense competition without a full preseason break, scientific rotation was the only way to keep the team competitive towards the end of the season.

Rossinier explained: "If you want to succeed at the end of the season, you have to make sure the squad stays active and sharp in all competitions. This is not just a passive response to the schedule, but also part of my coaching philosophy. I am not afraid of rotation because I trust every one of my players."

“I told the players after the West Ham game that just because we played a bad first half doesn’t mean they’re completely out of my plans. Everyone has a bad half. The key is to keep the whole team in a positive mindset, because you need the whole team to succeed.”

Chelsea are set to play two back-to-back matches this week, followed by a welcome midweek break. Rossinier stated that despite the challenging schedule, he enjoys every moment and expects the team to grit their teeth and overcome the current challenge.

Image source: Internet/Chelsea official website