Lasse Lempainen, the surgeon who operated on Reece James, has assured fans that the full-back will be in top shape for Euro 2024. The 22-year-old Chelsea player underwent surgery to address a recurring hamstring injury, which has kept him out of a total of 37 games over the past few years. According to 90min, James sought multiple medical opinions before ultimately deciding to undergo the operation.
Dr. Lasse Lempainen recently shared an update on James’ condition with the Telegraph. The surgeon, who hails from Finland, expressed confidence in James’ recovery following the procedure. “We did the operation on his right hamstring in Turku, Finland and it went very well. We made some clinical examinations and thought about the different options, and after careful consideration, we all agreed to do the operation. We are convinced it was the right treatment decision and we are now all happy that we did the right thing. On Friday morning, we made an individual rehabilitation plan for Reece and now it’s time to make a good recovery,” said Lempainen.
He further added, “I am very convinced that Reece will be in top shape before the European Championship. Chelsea will decide on how long he takes, but more likely we are talking about that kind of period [three to four months]. The surgery gives Reece a better chance of staying fit and not having a recurring problem. We are only talking about the right side, of course, because he also had some problems in his left side before. Now, also during the rehab, particularly in the last phase when we do the sport-specific rehab, we will do our best that these risks should be minimized. The hamstring on the right will be stronger, yes.”
As for James’ place in the Chelsea squad while he is out injured, manager Mauricio Pochettino has turned to Axel Disasi, a natural center-back, to cover for the right-back position. He also has the option of using Malo Gusto, a former Lyon player, who provides a more attacking style of play.
The surgery and subsequent rehabilitation represent a crucial step in James’ career, with the hopes that he will return to the pitch better than ever. Dr. Lempainen and the medical team are focused on minimizing any risks of future injuries for the young player.
As James begins his journey towards recovery, the entire football community will be looking forward to seeing him back in action. Euro 2024 could potentially be a career-defining tournament for the talented right-back, and with comprehensive medical care and ongoing rehabilitation, the stage is set for his triumphant return to the game.
