Captain Reece James was injured at the start of the season and has only recently returned. Most recently, he started Chelsea's 2-1 win over Newcastle in the Premier League. However, James played at left-back, which is not his forte.
In the situation where Isak scored the equalizer for Newcastle at 1-1, Reece James was partly at fault. Despite being the closest person to the opposing striker, the Chelsea captain did not intervene, allowing the opponent to easily tap the ball into the net from close range.
After the game, former player Jamie Carragher criticised James, according to Sky Sports: “Just look at his tackle on Isak. I mean, if you can’t keep up with someone, try running after them, shouting at someone to keep up with him. But James did nothing and just let Isak have his way.
This reminds me of what the Chelsea manager said at the beginning of the game, that he wants more from a captain. Either he has to do the right thing to intervene, or talk to his teammates to share information."
Recently, coach Enzo Maresca also emphasized that Reece James does not have the leadership qualities he expected: "I spoke to him and expected him to show more leadership qualities in the dressing room. He is trying, he is improving but I expect more.
Many captains believe that because he is the captain, the manager will give him more power. No, for me, the captain has to give more. He has to give more than the others. Me and my team-mates at Chelsea want more of that from Reece.”
