Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has demanded “more” control from captain Reece James following his recovery from trauma.
The right-back recovered from hamstring surgery to make his first Chelsea start since December 2023 in Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Liverpool, but Maresca has challenged his captain to have more “personality”.
“I spoke with him and I expect more from him in terms of leadership within the locker room,” Maresca mentioned.
“He’s on his way, he’s doing well, he’s progressing but I expect more.
“Many times, a player thinks that ‘since I’m captain I hope you just [the manager] give me extra’.
“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 teammates expect him to offer all the extra time in terms of management.”
James, 24, moved from Chelsea’s academy to the first team and was named captain by Maresca’s predecessor Mauricio Pochettino ahead of the 2023-24 season.
The England defender was hampered by injury last season, making 11 appearances, before returning to the Anfield squad in his first competitive game under Maresca, who replaced Pochettino in the summer.
“He is realizing that we expect more from him,” Maresca added.
“He is our academy man. It is one of the most important reasons why he has to focus more on the personality issue.
“He’s a reserved guy. But when you don’t have a proper leader, you need to build him. I think we don’t have a proper leader. We need to build him.
“Reece is a person who is on the path but is no longer there. He should try.”
