Enzo Maresca tells Reece James he 'expects more' from Chelsea captain

Enzo Maresca has told Reece James helium expects much property from Chelsea's skipper arsenic the caput manager admitted his squad is without a earthy leader.

James made his archetypal quality of the play successful the 2-1 decision to Liverpool past play pursuing a lengthy wounded lay-off and did not question with the broadside that bushed Panathinaikos successful Athens connected Thursday.

The past 2 campaigns person been blighted by genu and hamstring problems for the 24-year-old but helium was nevertheless appointed nine skipper by erstwhile brag Mauricio Pochettino past August.

"I spoke with him and I expect from him much successful presumption of enactment wrong the changing room," said Maresca.

"He's connected the way, he's doing well, he's progressing but I expect more.

"Most of the time, a subordinate thinks that due to the fact that I americium skipper I expect that you springiness maine more. No, for maine due to the fact that you are the skipper you person to springiness more. You person to springiness much than the rest. Sometimes, I americium the skipper I tin springiness less? No, no, no.

"I expect it from Reece and his team-mates expect it from him to springiness ever much successful presumption of leadership."

Since being handed the armband, the England planetary has played lone 12 times for the nine meaning his relation arsenic skipper has mostly been confined to his off-field influence.

Conor Gallagher, who has since been sold to Atletico Madrid, led the squad for astir of past play with vice-captain Ben Chilwell besides missing for overmuch of the campaign, though helium excessively has been mostly overlooked by Maresca.

It leaves the Italian seeking alteration from wrong the dressing country successful presumption of processing leaders, though helium said discussions with James - who is known to beryllium a quieter subordinate of the squad - astir what helium expects from him person been positive.

"He's knowing that we're expecting much from him," helium said.

"He's our feline from the academy. It's 1 of the reasons wherefore helium has to amusement much successful presumption of personality.

"He's a reserved guy. But erstwhile you don't person a due leader, you request to physique that. I deliberation we don't person a due leader. We request to physique them. Reece is 1 who is connected the mode but he's not there. He needs to marque an effort.

"The 1 that is doing fantastic is Levi (Colwill). At the opening helium was not a person but present you tin spot he's 1 of the guys that's ever speaking. Marc Cucurella is 1 of the guys, but we request much and more."

Colwill and Cucurella person been cardinal parts of the beardown commencement made by the squad since Maresca's appointment, peculiarly since some players were criticised during caller seasons for underwhelming performances arsenic Chelsea struggled.

The Blues are sixth successful the Premier League having taken 1 constituent from the past 2 games, and play Newcastle astatine Stamford Bridge connected Sunday.

"It's thing that comes with age," said Maresca. "In two, 3 years immoderate of them volition beryllium amended astatine that. We person to assistance them recognize the enactment side."