Enzo Maresca took over at Chelsea in July (Picture: Getty)

Enzo Maresca admits he ‘expected more’ from Reece James in terms of leadership since he took over at Chelsea.

James, who was named Chelsea captain before the start of last season, missed the first couple of months of this campaign with a hamstring injury.

The 24-year-old marked his return from the treatment room in last weekend’s defeat to Liverpool, impressing for 53 minutes before being taken off following his long lay-off.

Maresca took over at Stamford Bridge in July and says he ‘expected more’ from Blues captain James, who he says is not a ‘proper leader’.

‘I spoke with him and I expected from him more in terms of leadership, inside the changing room and for different kinds of things,’ Maresca said.
‘He?s on the way, he?s doing well, he?s progressing, but from Reece I expected more also in terms of leadership.

‘Most of the time when they are captain, they think that because they are captain they have more – “Because I am the captain, I expect that you give me more.”

Reece James was named Chelsea captain in August 2023 (Picture: Getty)

‘For me, because you are the captain, you have to give more. You have to give more than the rest.

‘And sometimes it?s, “OK, I am the captain I can give less.” No. He?s one of the captains and I expected from him, and his team-mates expected from him, to give always ...