Enzo Maresca’s debut at the helm of Chelsea is rather well received by supporters. Certainly, the club has already lost twice in the league, and against direct competitors for the Premier League title (Manchester City and Liverpool) but the encouraging performances seen against Brighton, West Ham and Wolverhampton, and in the Europa Conference League, allow us to look to the future with more serenity than in recent months. The Blues are still coming out of two terrible years. It doesn’t disappear with the wave of a magic wand, despite the hundreds of millions spent.
Despite everything, there remains a lot of work. Enzo Maresca’s men are not yet at the level of the best teams in England. The defeat against the Reds last week at Anfield (2-1) reminded us of this. A meeting where Reece James made his first appearance of the season at right back, he who was handicapped by knee and hamstring problems. The captain played 53 minutes before giving up his place. His performance did not particularly inspire his coach, but it is above all his character which poses a problem for him. According to Maresca, he must better assume this captaincy.
Maresca: “when you don’t have a good leader, you have to build one»
“I spoke with him and I expect more from him in terms of leadership in the dressing room. He’s on his way, he’s doing well, he’s making progress but I’m waiting for more. Most of the time a player thinks that because he is captain he is entitled to more things but no. For me, because you are the captain, you have to give more than the others», insists the Italian coach at a press conference. According to him, this problem is even generalized in the locker room where no great leader emerges. “I expect Reece and his teammates to always give more in terms of leadership. »
“He understands that we expect more from him. He’s an academy guy. This is one of the reasons why he needs to show more personality.» Maresca does not lose hope, however. James can develop into a leader with time and experience. “He’s a reserved guy. But when you don’t have a good leader, you have to build one. And we don’t have a good leader. Reece is still learning how to be one but he hasn’t finished his apprenticeship. He must make an effort”assures the coach. And if James still doesn’t give satisfaction in the long term, Maresca can always count on Cucurella and Levi Colwill. “They’re one of those guys, but we need more.»
