Chelsea receives great news as two key players avoid the 'FIFA virus'

Chelsea has just received positive news during the October FIFA Days as two of their main players, captain Reece James and defensive midfielder Moises Caicedo, were not called up for international duty.

According to the official announcement from the English Football Association (FA) on October 6, Reece James was forced to withdraw from the England squad selected by coach Thomas Tuchel due to “medical examination results”.

Although Chelsea did not disclose specific details, British media suggest this is a precautionary measure to help the 25-year-old defender avoid the risk of injury recurrence. James has struggled with serious knee problems over the last two seasons, and Chelsea is currently very cautious in managing his workload.

Previously, James played the full 90 minutes in the 2-1 victory over Liverpool in the Premier League Round 7 and only suffered a minor shin abrasion. Therefore, his withdrawal from international duty is considered a sensible step to maintain his best physical condition for the upcoming season phase, especially as the season intensifies.

In South America, Moises Caicedo also did not join Ecuador’s national team camp after the country officially qualified for the World Cup. The Ecuadorian Football Federation decided to rest him, so he will not participate in the friendlies against Mexico and the United States in October. The midfielder born in 2001 is reportedly showing signs of fatigue after continuous matches since the season started, as he remains an irreplaceable link in Chelsea’s midfield.

This is positive news for coach Enzo Maresca, who has been struggling with a congested schedule and the fitness of key players. Allowing James and Caicedo to rest will help Chelsea better prepare before entering a tough series of matches in the Premier League and European competitions in October and November.

Unless there are unexpected developments, both players are expected to return to full team training by next weekend, ready for the crucial Premier League Round 8 clash against Aston Villa.