Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has publicly expressed his desire for greater leadership from Reece James, the 24-year-old defender appointed as Chelsea’s captain before the start of last season.
James, who has often been regarded as a core figure in the Chelsea lineup due to his skill and influence on the field, was selected for the captaincy with the hope that he would bring a stronger sense of direction and unity to the team.
However, Maresca has voiced concerns that the defender has not yet lived up to the leadership expectations associated with his role.James had a challenging start to this season, missing the initial games due to a hamstring injury.
His return to the pitch came in Chelsea’s recent 2-1 loss to Liverpool, a match in which he played just 53 minutes before being substituted.
While the defender’s presence was anticipated to bolster Chelsea’s performance, Maresca believes there is more required from James, particularly in terms of his leadership within the team.
In a frank statement, Maresca, who took on the managerial role at Stamford Bridge in July, admitted that he had conversations with James to address his concerns.
“I spoke with him and I expected more from him in terms of leadership, inside the changing room and for different kinds of things,” Maresca stated.
He highlighted that James’s role as captain comes with the responsibility to not only uphold high standards on the field but also to motivate and unify his teammates off the field.
Maresca elaborated on his philosophy of leadership, emphasizing that being captain is not merely a title but a role that demands a proactive commitment.
“Most of the time when they are captain, they think that because they are captain they have more – ‘Because I am the captain, I expect that you give me more.’ For me, because you are the captain, you have to give more.
You have to give more than the rest,” he added.Maresca’s comments underscore the high expectations he has for his players and the standard he envisions for Chelsea’s leadership.
His words reflect a firm stance on the qualities he believes are essential for a captain to bring both on and off the field, setting a clear benchmark for James as he continues to grow into his role as Chelsea’s captain.
