Xabi Alonso anxiously waits on Thomas Tuchel’s final decision with Chelsea injury concern

Xabi Alonso will be eagerly and anxiously watching on this evening as England conclude their World Cup campaign with a third-place play-off match against France in Miami

For England supporters up and down the country, Wednesday night will be one they will be eager to forget as soon as possible.

Anthony Gordon’s 55th-minute strike had the potential to be one of the most memorable goals in English football history, yet many will not have even seen it back since. Argentina, as Argentina do, fought back late on to book their place in another World Cup final.

For the English Chelsea supporters watching, it was a case of double trouble when Blues captain Reece James went down in pain with around eight minutes of normal time remaining in Atlanta. Thankfully, he seems fine, given the fact he trained with his Three Lions teammates on Friday ahead of the third-place play-off showdown with France in Miami this evening (Saturday).

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Chelsea supporters and new manager Xabi Alonso might be hoping James doesn’t get near the pitch in a match many consider a dead rubber. Especially given the Chelsea captain’s torrid record in relation to muscular injuries and that he has missed a few matches during this World Cup nursing a hamstring problem.

Thankfully for James, he was able to get himself fit for Wednesday night’s semi final. The Cobham graduate, through hard work that he is no stranger to at this point, was a somewhat surprise inclusion in the defence given the injury concern.

Speaking earlier in the week ahead of England’s defeat to Argentina, James expressed his delight in beating the clock to get himself fit for the semi final. He said on an episode of Lions Den: “It’s good to be back out there with the boys.

“Picking up an injury at a tournament is always a race against the clock. I applied myself and happy to be back out there.”

James, like the rest of the country, was devastated at England’s departure on Wednesday night. Taking to his Instagram page in the aftermath of the defeat, the Blues right back wrote: “The beautiful game we love can be cruel at times. We came so close, yet so far. We truly believed this was our moment, and maybe that’s what makes it the hardest to accept.

“Putting on the Three Lions shirt at a World Cup for the first time is something I will never forget. It’s a privilege that means more to me than words can explain. Right now, there’s disappointment, but moments like these are also a chance to learn, grow and reflect.

“To every fan who travelled across the world to support us, thank you. So many of you saved for years to experience this tournament with us, carrying the same hope that this could finally be our year. Your support, your passion and your belief in this team never went unnoticed.

“We feel your pain because we share it. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for standing with us every step of the way.”

James will be with the squad for this evening’s match in Miami before jetting back to the UK. The 26-year-old will then take a few weeks off from football to recharge his batteries before flying to join the rest of the Chelsea squad wherever they may be on their pre-season tour.