Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has encouraged captain Reece James to develop a stronger leadership presence as he returns to the squad following injury. James, who resumed play during Chelsea’s recent 2-1 loss to Liverpool, has faced a challenging season marked by limited appearances.
The England right-back was absent from Chelsea’s UEFA Conference League victory over Panathinaikos on Thursday but is expected to play against Newcastle in the upcoming Premier League match on Sunday.
Maresca, aiming to foster a more cohesive team dynamic, spoke with James about the expectations associated with his captaincy. “I spoke with him and I expect from him more in terms of leadership inside the changing room,” Maresca said to reporters. “He’s on the way, he’s doing well, he’s progressing, but I expect more.”
James assumed the role of club captain after being appointed by Maresca’s predecessor, Mauricio Pochettino. However, injuries have limited him to just 12 appearances since then, and his impact has mostly been seen off the pitch. Last season, Conor Gallagher, who recently transferred to Atletico Madrid, frequently took on the on-field captain duties in James’s absence.
While acknowledging that James is a quieter presence within the squad, Maresca emphasized the importance of cultivating leaders from within the team. He noted that discussions with James about his leadership role have been constructive.
“He’s understanding that we’re expecting more from him,” Maresca added. “He’s our guy from the academy. It’s one of the reasons why he has to show more in terms of personality. He’s a reserved guy. But when you don’t have a proper leader, you need to build that.”
Maresca’s approach underscores a vision of strengthening Chelsea’s internal leadership, with James at the forefront of this development.
