Yahoo Sports Maresca highlights key area James is “improving in” and hails him one of Chelsea’s “most important players”
Enzo Maresca has stated Reece James is one of Chelsea’s most important players and highlighted where the England international has improved.
The Blues have made a good start to the season, although they are currently in danger of unravelling the good work they have done.
Chelsea are winless in their last five games and it’s just three points from the last 15, a run which has seen them drop out of the top four, although a win against Wolves on Monday night would see them move back into fourth.
Maresca highlights where James has improved
Chelsea have once again been without James for large parts of the season, but he returned to action in the FA Cup against Morecambe, before coming on as a second half substitute against Bournemouth.
James played a vital role in that game as he stepped up and scored a last minute free-kick to earn Chelsea a point.
The 25-year-old will now hope he can stay fit for the remainder of the season, and speaking ahead of the Wolves game Maresca has spoken of his importance and where he’s improved.
“In general Reece is one of the most important players for us because he is the captain,” he told the Daily Mirror.
“We know since we started with him that having him always fit, fit, fit is better. But we try to adapt. Now he’s back and we’re happy. And he’s improving in that [leadership] aspect.”
It’s great to hear that James’ leadership is improving, as he was publicly called out over it by Maresca earlier in the season.
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Chelsea lack leaders in the current squad, and James developing into more of a leader is going to be crucial for both Maresca and the squad.
Maresca has mentioned the likes of Levi Colwill and Tosin Adarabioyo emerging as leaders within the squad, which is another positive and with such a young squad the more leaders the better.
