Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has demanded “more” leadership from captain Reece James following his return from injury.
The right-back recovered from hamstring surgery to make his first Chelsea start since December 2023 in Sunday’s 2-1 defeat by Liverpool but Maresca has challenged his skipper to show greater “personality”.
“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 [the manager] give me more’.
“No, for me because you are the captain you have to give more. You have to give more than the rest.
“I expect it from Reece and his team-mates expect it from him to give always more in terms of leadership.”
James, 24, has progressed from the Chelsea academy to the first team and was appointed captain by Maresca’s predecessor Mauricio Pochettino before the 2023-24 season.
The England defender was hampered by injury last season, making 11 appearances, before returning to the side at Anfield in his first competitive game under Maresca, who replaced Pochettino in the summer.
“He’s understanding that we’re expecting more from him,” added Maresca.
“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.”
