Reece James will be out for two months as Chelsea make a bid to recall Lyon loanee Emerson Palmery to ease their defensive injury crisis.
Ben Chilwell was ruled out of the rest of the season following an operation on a cruciate ligament injury, but England teammate James avoided surgery on a troubled hamstring.
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James pulled out of a 1–1 draw with Brighton, turning the Blues into immediate action.
They are trying to work out a package that can convince Lyon to bring back Italy’s left-back Emerson early.
Manager Thomas Tuchel said: “I don’t want to lie. We look at the situation as we now have a new position with Ben Chilwell.
“One of the prospects is the players we know and we love as a person for Emerson.
“But we need to check the details.
“We are discussing and reflecting and it will go on for the next days, maybe weeks.”
The French club has initially turned down the request and are confident the terms of the loan for Brazil are with no automatic option for the Blues to expire in January.
But Chelsea are keen to talk further.
They know that recalling Emerson will be cheaper than signing a new player for that position.
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