EPL: I expected more, you’re not a leader – Maresca takes swipe at Chelsea captain

Chelsea manager, Enzo Maresca, has said he “expected more” from Reece James in terms of leadership.

James was appointed Chelsea captain before the start of last season.

However, the 24-year-old missed the first weeks of this current campaign with a hamstring injury.

But he marked his return from injury in last weekend’s 2-1 defeat to Liverpool, playing for 53 minutes before being substituted.

Maresca, who arrived at Stamford Bridge in July, has now said James is not a “proper leader”.

“I spoke with him and I expected more from him in terms of leadership, inside the changing room and for different kinds of things,” Maresca said.

“Most of the time when they are captain, they think that because they are captain they have more – “Because I am the captain, I expect that you give me more.”

“For me, because you are the captain, you have to give more. You have to give more than the rest.”