What returning Reece James did at Stamford Bridge ahead of Bournemouth that will excite Chelsea fans

Chelsea and England full-back Reece James marked his return to the pitch after the knee injury that ruled him out of the World Cup by touching the grass on the turf at Stamford Bridge.

Manager Graham Potter had earlier on revealed the full-back was in a good place, and had gotten over the ‘devastating’ blow of missing out of the tournament in Qatar. He added that James had been training well in what was a hint of his starting slot against Bournemouth.

The 23-year-old clearly excited to be back in the team and back helping his team mates touched the turf and rolled his socks up before joining his teammates for the warm-up in the rain ahead of the game. Reece James is considered by many Chelsea fans as the best Chelsea player this season.

The Blues will hope that his return will coincide with an improved form for the club. They have lost three of the last five Premier League games and were desperately poor before the World Cup break. Manager Graham Potter initially started his role brightly, going nine games unbeaten before hitting the wall.

Injuries to players like Wesley Fofana, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and N’Golo Kante have weakened the team even though Potter will be delighted with the fact that he can now count on James and goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, who is returning from injury after sitting out the World Cup too.

Chelsea are currently ninth on the league table, a point behind Fulham. They did top their Champions League but you suspect the pressure will be back on manager Graham Potter if they can’t get all three points.