Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has expressed his expectations for Reece James to step up as a leader for the team.
Following a lengthy injury lay-off, Reece James made his first appearance of the season in the Blues’ 2-1 defeat to Liverpool last weekend.
However, he did not travel with the squad that secured a victory against Panathinaikos in Athens on Thursday.
Maresca emphasised that his squad lacks a natural leader and is looking for James to showcase more personality on the pitch now that he is fit to play.
The 24-year-old’s last two campaigns have been marred by knee and hamstring injuries, yet he was appointed club captain by former manager 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 [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.”
“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.”
The Blues currently sit sixth in the Premier League, having earned just one point from their last two matches.
They will face Newcastle at Stamford Bridge this Sunday
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