Reece James must take one more step. This is the request of Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca after the return of the captain and right-back from injury. Having returned to the pitch after tendon surgery in the 2-1 debacle against Liverpool and missing Panathinaikos in the Conference League, there could be space for the 24-year-old Englishman again from the first minute tomorrow against Newcastle.
Maresca explained at the press conference what he demands of James: “Yes, I spoke to him and I expected more from him in terms of leadership, inside the dressing room and for several things,” said the Chelsea manager. “He is on the right path, he is doing well, he is progressing, but I expect more in terms of leadership. Most of the time, when they are captains, they think that they are captains and they must receive more: ‘since I am the captain, I I wait for (the coach, ed.) to give me more.’ For me, because you are the captain, you have to give more than the others. And sometimes: ‘ok, I’m the captain, I can give less’. no. He’s one of the captains and I expected him, and his teammates expected him, to always give more.”
Extra step. “How has he taken it? Well, and that’s why I say he’s progressing. He knows we expect more from him. He’s our academy boy, that’s one of the reasons why he has to show more in terms of personality “. An understandable request given that Reece James represents Chelsea: he grew up in the youth team Bluesat 23 years old he was appointed captain by Mauricio Pochettino, ahead of the 2023-24 season. “He’s a reserved guy. But when you don’t have a real leader – added Maresca – you have to build him. I think we don’t have a real leader. We have to build them. Reece is someone who is on the right path, but he’s not there yet. You have to make an effort.”