- Reece James was appointed Chelsea skipper by Mauricio Pochettino last season
- The defender has not had much time on the field of late due to hamstring issues
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Jamie Carragher believes that the manner of Chelsea’s concession against Newcastle showed why Enzo Maresca is concerned by Reece James’ leadership.
The Blues boss made the surprising comments about his captain following his first start of the season – the 2-1 defeat by Liverpool earlier this month – after weeks on the sidelines with injury.
Maresca told reports 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 fullback about it.
Chelsea bounced back from their spirited defeat at Anfield to beat the Magpies at Stamford Bridge on Sunday but Carragher believes that the goal they conceded proved Maresca’s point.
‘I can imagine [Enzo] Maresca looking at that and saying, “That’s what I mean by Reece James”.’ said the former Liverpool defender, who was speaking on The Overlap Fan Debate, brought to you by Sky Bet.
Reece James’ leadership qualities have been called into question over the last week following his return to the team
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca said that he ‘expects more’ from the 24-year-old in the dressing room
James was caught out at the back post against Newcastle, which allowed Alexander Isak to score from close range
Jamie Carragher believes that this goal showed why Maresca is concerned about James’ abilities as a skipper
‘He didn’t scream, he didn’t shout – we know he’s a brilliant player, but he’s [Enzo] probably gone into that club thinking, “I don’t know too 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, as the west London club moved up to fifth and a point behind Arsenal and Aston Villa occupying the last two Champions League places.
The England international was appointed captain by Mauricio Pochettino at the beginning of last season following the departure of Cesar Azpilicueta but he has only been able to lead his boyhood club on seven occasions in the league since then due to injury.
Paul Scholes insisted that James doesn’t carry himself like the team’s skipper and even went as far to say the fullback appears shy.
‘The captain’s role is quite important. We had some unbelievable captains at Manchester United. Bryan Robson is someone you look up to with the stature, the presence, he looks after his players. Roy Keane – these types of players.’ Said Scholes, who was speaking on The Overlap Fan Debate, brought to you by Sky Bet.
‘You look at Arsenal, you look at the great captains – Tony Adams, Chelsea – John Terry, Liverpool – Steven Gerrard. All the big characters in the team, it’s important for these young players to look up to that.
‘Reece James doesn’t look like a captain to me. He seems very quiet and shy. You can be captain like that but he’s just not the character that you’d expect for a club the size as Chelsea football club.
Paul Scholes believes the fullback doesn’t have the personality traits found in some of the best captains in Premier League history
John Terry captained Chelsea to five Premier League titles, four FA Cups and the Europa and Champions League
‘Off the pitch, they are big characters as well that people look up to. I don’t see Cole Palmer as a captain.’
James could have the chance to make amends for his lapse in concentration as Chelsea face the Magpies for the second time in three days, this time in the League Cup at St James’ Park.
They then travel to Old Trafford to face Manchester United, who could have new manager Ruben Amorim at the helm.
Jamie Carragher and Paul Scholes were speaking on The Overlap Fan Debate, brought to you by Sky Bet.
