Enzo
Maresca has told Reece James he expects more personality from Chelsea’s
captain as the head coach admitted his squad is without a natural leader.
James made his first appearance of the season in the 2-1 defeat to Liverpool
last weekend following a lengthy injury lay-off and did not travel with the
side that beat Panathinaikos in Athens on Thursday.
The last two campaigns have been blighted by knee and hamstring problems for
the 24-year-old but he was nevertheless appointed club skipper by previous
boss Mauricio Pochettino last August.
“I spoke with him and I expect from him more in terms of leadership inside
the changing room,” said Maresca.
“He’s on the way, he’s doing well, he’s progressing but I expect more.
“Most of the time, a player thinks that because I am captain I expect that
you give me more. No, for me because you are the captain you have to give
more. You have to give more than the rest. Sometimes, I am the captain I can
give less? No, no, no.
“I expect it from Reece and his team-mates expect it from him to give always
more in terms of leadership.”
Since being handed the armband, the England international has played only 12
times for the club meaning his role as captain has largely been confined to
his off-field influence.
Conor Gallagher, who has since been sold to Atletico Madrid, led the team
for most of last season with vice-captain Ben Chilwell also missing for much
of the campaign, though he too has been largely overlooked by Maresca.
It leaves the Italian seeking change from within the dressing room in terms
of developing leaders, though he said discussions with James – who is known
to be a quieter member of the squad – about what he expects from him have
been positive.
“He’s understanding that we’re expecting more from him,” he said.
“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. I think we don’t have a proper leader. We need to build them.
Reece is one who is on the way but he’s not there. He needs to make an
effort.
“The one that is doing fantastic is Levi (Colwill). At the beginning he was
not a leader but now you can see he’s one of the guys that’s always
speaking. Marc Cucurella is one of the guys, but we need more and more.”
Colwill and Cucurella have been key parts of the strong start made by the
team since Maresca’s appointment, particularly since both players were
criticised during recent seasons for underwhelming performances as Chelsea
struggled.
The Blues are sixth in the Premier League having taken one point from the
last two games, and play Newcastle at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
“It’s something that comes with age,” said Maresca. “In two, three years
some of them will be better at that. We have to help them understand the
leadership side.”
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