- Reece James was named Chelsea captain by Mauricio Pochettino last year
- The 24-year-old defender has barely played in the last 12 months due to injury.
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Jamie Carragher believes Chelsea’s goal against Newcastle showed why Enzo Maresca is concerned about Reece James’ leadership.
The Blues boss made surprising comments about his captain after his first start of the season – the 2-1 defeat to Liverpool earlier this month – after weeks on the sidelines through injury.
Maresca told reporters that he “expects more” from the 24-year-old in terms of leadership in the dressing room and revealed that he has spoken to the full-back about it.
Chelsea bounced back from their spirited defeat at Anfield to beat the Magpies at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, but Carragher believes Newcastle’s goal proved Maresca’s point.
“I imagine (Enzo) Maresca looking at that and saying, ‘That’s what I mean by Reece James,'” said the former Liverpool defender, who spoke on The Overlap Fan Debate, presented by sky bet.
Reece James’ leadership qualities have been called into question over the last week
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca said he “expects more” from the defender in the locker room
James was trapped against Newcastle, allowing Alexander Isak to score on Sunday
Jamie Carragher believes the goal showed why Maresca is concerned about James’ leadership
“He didn’t shout, he didn’t shout; we know he’s a brilliant player, but (Enzo) probably came into that club thinking, ‘I don’t know much about him, I’ve heard about him, I’ve heard he’s a great player.’
James completed his first 90 minutes in the Premier League in 18 months against Newcastle, as the west London club moved up to fifth place and one point behind Arsenal and Aston Villa, who occupy the bottom two places in the Champions League.
The England international was named captain by Mauricio Pochettino at the beginning of last season following the departure of César Azpilicueta, but since then he has only managed his boyhood club seven times in the league due to injury.
Paul Scholes insisted that James does not behave like the team captain and even went so far as to say that the full-back seems shy.
“The captain’s role is pretty important,” said Scholes, who spoke on The Overlap Fan Debate, hosted by sky bet. “We had some incredible captains at Manchester United. Bryan Robson is someone you admire for his height, his presence, and he looks after his players. Roy Keane – these type of players.
“If you look at Arsenal, you look at the great captains: Tony Adams, Chelsea, John Terry, Liverpool, Steven Gerrard. All the important characters in the team, it is important that these young players respect that.
“Reece James doesn’t seem like a captain to me. He seems very quiet and shy. You can be captain like that, but he doesn’t have the character you would expect from a club the size of Chelsea.
Paul Scholes claimed that James does not have the traits found in some of the best captains
John Terry was the captain of Chelsea that won five Premier League titles, four FA Cups and the European and Champions League.
‘Off the field, they are also great characters that people admire. I don’t see Cole Palmer as a captain.
James could get a chance to make amends for his lack of focus when Chelsea face the Magpies for the second time in three days, this time in the Carabao Cup at St James’ Park.
They will then travel to Old Trafford to face Manchester United, who could have new manager Ruben Amorim in charge.
Jamie Carragher and Paul Scholes were speaking on The Overlap Fan Debate, presented by Sky Bet.
