- Reece James was appointed Chelsea skipper by Mauricio Pochettino last year
- The 24-year-old defender has hardly played in the past twelve months due to an injury
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Jamie Carragher believes the manner of Chelsea’s goal against Newcastle showed why Enzo Maresca is concerned about Reece James’ leadership.
The Blues boss made the 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 with an injury.
Maresca told reporters he ‘expects more’ from the 24-year-old in terms of leadership in the dressing room and revealed he has spoken to the entire backline about it.
Chelsea bounced back from their tough defeat at Anfield to beat the Magpies at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, but Carragher believes Newcastle’s goal proved Maresca’s point.
‘I can imagine [Enzo] Maresca looked at it and said: “That’s what I mean by Reece James,” said the former Liverpool defender, speaking on The Overlap Fan Debate, brought to you by Sky bet.
Reece James’ leadership qualities have been called into question over the past week
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca said he ‘expects more’ from the defender in the dressing room
James was subbed off against Newcastle, allowing Alexander Isak to score on Sunday
Jamie Carragher believes the goal showed why Maresca are concerned about James’ leadership
‘He didn’t shout, he didn’t scream – we know he’s a brilliant player, but he is [Enzo] probably went to 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 as the west London club moved to fifth place and a point behind Arsenal and Aston Villa who occupy the last two Champions League places.
The England international was appointed captain by Mauricio Pochettino at the start of last season following the departure of Cesar Azpilicueta, but since then he has only been able to lead his boyhood club in the league seven times due to injury.
Paul Scholes insisted that James is not behaving like the team captain and even went as far as to say that the full-back appears shy.
‘The role of the captain is quite important. We had some incredible captains at Manchester United. Bryan Robson is someone you look up to because of his status, his presence and his players. Roy Keane – these types of players.’ Said Scholes, who spoke at 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 great characters in the team, it’s important that these young players look up to that.
‘Reece James doesn’t seem like a captain to me. He seems very quiet and shy. You can be a captain like that, but he just doesn’t have the character you would expect for a club as big as Chelsea Football Club.
Paul Scholes believes the full-back lacks the personality traits found in some of the best captains in Premier League history
John Terry led Chelsea to five Premier League titles, four FA Cups and the European and Champions League
‘They are also great characters outside the field that people look up to. I don’t see Cole Palmer as captain.’
James could get the chance to make up 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 take on 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.