Reece James has been integral to Chelsea’s success over the last few years.
The right-back suffered an injury midway through last season and that derailed Chelsea’s title challenge.
And now, James is out once more and is not expected to return for Chelsea until after Christmas.
Following this big blow, Mason Mount has urged his teammates to step up:
“You know what Reecey brings,” said Mount. “He has been absolutely brilliant this season. He stepped up and has been one of the best players in the team.
“To see that happen to him, as a very close friend of mine, is gutting to see. I was absolutely gutted for him. It is a big loss but we have to step up as players. You can see what [Cesar] Azpi[licueta] came on and did today as a captain, he steps up and has a massive performance off the bench and that is what we need from all the players.
On the possibility of missing out on the World Cup himself, Mount added:
“I try not to ever think about not going 100 per cent because I might get injured. I go into every tackle and game 100 per cent but these things happen in football,” he said.
“Look, when you have got a massive World Cup coming up you don’t want it to happen but you have got to stay focused in every game you play. It is massively important for us to win games in the Premier League at this stage and you have got to try to stay fit.
“It is difficult and tough, we’re grinding out these games and hopefully when the World Cup comes around you will be as close to 100 per cent as you can be.”
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