Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has expressed his desire for more leadership from Reece James, the club’s captain, as he returns to the field following an injury. Maresca’s remarks come at a pivotal time for Chelsea, with the team trying to find its footing in both the Premier League and the Conference League. James, who made his first appearance of the season against Liverpool, is still limited physically and unable to play multiple matches per week, yet he remains a focal point for Maresca’s expectations regarding team leadership.
Reflecting on his recent conversations with James, Maresca didn’t shy away from highlighting his high expectations. “I spoke with Reece and told him I had hoped for more in terms of leadership—both in the dressing room and in various other aspects,” he shared. Maresca acknowledged James’s progress but made it clear that, given the responsibilities of a captain, he anticipated more visible leadership. “Captains often assume that the title alone will command more respect or effort from others,” Maresca continued, “but to me, being a captain means you should be the one to give the most. You can’t settle for anything less.”
Maresca’s observations suggest he sees James as someone who is still growing into the role of captain, a sentiment echoed throughout his assessment of Chelsea’s current leadership landscape. While James holds the title, Maresca is eager to see more consistent demonstrations of leadership from him and expressed a need for him to lead by example. Maresca admitted, “He’s one of the captains, and both I and his teammates are looking to him to show that leadership consistently, both on and off the field.”
Adding to this, Maresca voiced concerns about Chelsea’s overall leadership void, describing a lack of “true leaders” within the squad. For a team brimming with youthful talent, this absence could challenge their momentum in various competitions, and Maresca emphasized that he needs players to step up and assume more responsibility. However, he also noted that leadership cannot simply be expected—it must be cultivated and developed over time.
Despite his call for growth from James, Maresca recognized positive developments among other players, particularly young defender Levi Colwill. He commended Colwill for showing noticeable progress in leadership and praised his proactive presence in the team. “Levi wasn’t viewed as a leader at the beginning of the season,” Maresca observed, “but he’s become one of the team’s voices.” This transformation is exactly what Maresca hopes to encourage among his squad as Chelsea continues through the season.
Notably, Maresca contrasted James’s quieter demeanor with Colwill’s emerging voice. He acknowledged that leadership can come in different forms and emphasized that the more reserved James needs to step out of his comfort zone for the sake of the team. “Reece is progressing,” Maresca conceded, “but he still has work to do to reach that higher level of leadership.” Maresca made it clear that Chelsea’s future success relies not just on footballing talent but on cultivating influential personalities on the field.
Maresca also highlighted the potential for other players to step up, mentioning Tosin Adarabioyo and Marc Cucurella as individuals who could potentially rise to the occasion. He stressed that leadership often develops with experience and maturity, hinting that in a few years, Chelsea’s current crop of players may possess the depth and resilience needed to lead the club to greater heights. “It’s about developing not only their technical skills but also their character and influence on the pitch,” Maresca explained. His hope is for Chelsea to foster a squad filled with leaders who can shape the team’s identity and inspire their teammates.
As Chelsea navigates the challenges of a demanding season, Maresca’s focus on building leaders underlines the need for growth and resilience within the squad. Reece James, as captain, remains a central figure in these ambitions, and Maresca’s candid comments are both a challenge and an encouragement for James to evolve, leading Chelsea with the strength and conviction the
role demands.