Chelsea captain Reece James has moved swiftly to shut down swirling rumours surrounding his absence from Chelsea’s semi-final triumph over Fluminense, making it crystal clear he is fit and fully available for the FIFA Club World Cup final clash against Paris Saint-Germain.

In the build-up to Sunday’s final, reports began to circulate that the 25-year-old had picked up yet another injury — a concern that has become all too familiar for Blues fans over the past two seasons. But James has now come out to silence the noise and set the record straight.

“Just to be clear, I wasn’t injured so let’s put that to bed,” James declared.

It’s a powerful message from a captain clearly tired of the injury narratives that continue to follow him.

James explained that during the warm-up before the Fluminense game, he didn’t quite feel 100% and had to make a difficult call — one that prioritised the bigger picture over short-term bravery.

“I could have played but it was a warning, so it would have been ‘why did I not listen’ (if I got injured),” James explained.

It was a mature decision that underlines how much James has grown into his role as captain. Rather than risking aggravating a potential problem, he opted for caution — a move that proved wise as Chelsea went on to beat the Brazilian side and book their place in the final.

“I decided not to take an unnecessary risk and be available,” he added.

James’ message is also a boost for manager Enzo Maresca, who can now count on his captain’s presence for what is arguably the club’s biggest match under his tenure so far.

With PSG looming in Sunday’s final, Chelsea need their leaders to stand tall. And there’s no better sight for the Stamford Bridge faithful than seeing Reece James fit, fired up, and ready to give everything on the pitch.

Let’s be clear — this is his moment.