Injury Updates and Team Dynamics Ahead of Key Matches

James faced a significant setback during the Euro 2025 final against Spain, sidelining her for four months. Since September, she has made two encouraging appearances as a substitute but has yet to start a match under coach Sonia Bompastor. Furthermore, she has been excluded from Sarina Wiegman’s England squad for the upcoming international window, a decision both managers agree was in the player’s best interest. They acknowledged that, while James is making progress, her rehabilitation requires thoughtful management.

“We had a productive conversation with Sarina and her staff, and we concluded that it may not be the right time for LJ to be called up. She is still in the process of regaining full fitness, and I believe it was a wise decision,” Bompastor stated. “She is available to start the game against Barcelona; however, she may not be ready to play the full 90 minutes, but she is in a good position to start.”

Wiegman echoed these sentiments, saying, “She is certainly making good progress, which is encouraging, but it remains too early for her involvement. She needs a bit more time to return to full fitness and handle increased physical demands. While I wish we could have included her, I prefer to avoid taking risks.”

As James approaches full match sharpness, Chelsea will again be without forward Sam Kerr. The Australian made headlines when she marked her return from a 634-day absence with a stoppage-time goal against Aston Villa in September. Kerr suffered a torn ACL during a mid-season training camp in Morocco in January 2024, which ended her previous campaign, sidelined her for the entirety of 2024-25, and eliminated her chance to participate in the Paris Olympics.

Chelsea cautiously reintegrated her into full training over the summer, and her impressive short appearance and goal upon her return were well-received. She also managed to complete the full 90 minutes against St. Polten in the Champions League. However, Bompastor insists that Kerr’s comeback must be carefully managed.

“Sam is doing well and is likely to join the national team next week,” Bompastor noted, “but she will not be available for us again. It’s crucial to manage her return properly. She played 90 minutes against St. Polten as part of our plan, and we decided to allow her some rest before her involvement in the next two games.”

On the other hand, Wiegman is facing her own challenges as England’s upcoming camp approaches. Captain Millie Bright, who recently stepped away from international football, will not be returning. Bright, who missed Euro 2025, has officially concluded her impressive nine-year career with the Lionesses. Her departure adds to England’s growing list of absentees, which includes Leah Williamson and James, alongside Manchester City’s Lauren Hemp, who is also sidelined with an injury. Fortunately, Lucy Bronze and Niamh Charles have returned after overcoming their own injury issues.

Chelsea’s upcoming match against Barcelona is set to reignite a familiar narrative in European football. The two teams have previously met in the Champions League final in 2021 and have clashed in the semi-finals in three of the past four seasons. Barcelona has largely dominated their encounters, losing only one of the seven matches played. The return of James, even in a limited capacity, offers a much-needed creative spark for the Blues in significant European fixtures. The stage is set for yet another defining chapter in the modern women’s game.