Enzo Maresca expects more from Chelsea’s captain, Reece James.
Image credit: Reece James
Chelsea’s head coach, Enzo Maresca, has openly called for more leadership from team captain Reece James, emphasizing the importance of stepping up both on and off the pitch.
The 24-year-old right-back, who recently returned from a hamstring surgery, made his first Chelsea start in nearly a year during the club’s recent 2-1 defeat to Liverpool. Despite James’s successful recovery, Maresca has expressed the need for him to assert greater authority within the team.
Speaking on his expectations, Maresca stressed that holding the captain’s armband requires more than just setting a personal example. “I spoke with him, and I expect from him more in terms of leadership inside the changing room,” Maresca stated.
He clarified that his view of leadership involves giving more than others and serving as a unifying force among teammates. According to Maresca, it’s not about what James can receive due to his role but rather about how he can contribute significantly as a figurehead for the club.
James, a Chelsea academy graduate who was appointed captain last season, has dealt with several injuries over the past year, limiting him to just 11 appearances last season.
Maresca acknowledges James’s reserved personality but believes he can grow into a more vocal, influential leader, crucial for a squad currently lacking a clear leader. “When you don’t have a proper leader, you need to build that,” Maresca noted, adding, “He’s our guy from the academy…it’s one of the reasons why he has to show more in terms of personality.”
As Chelsea navigates a challenging season under Maresca’s leadership, the manager’s demands for James to build his presence could have significant implications for the team’s performance and cohesion.
Both fans and teammates will be watching to see if James embraces this call to action, marking a new era of leadership for Chelsea’s future.