Copyright Yardbarker
Reece James has now gone a year without a serious injury, a really remarkable milestone for a player we all considered pretty much broken at one point. There are a few factors behind him being able to stay fit – but what is really interesting is how this period of sustained playing has allowed him to develop as a leader and captain. James gains confidence as a leaders as confidence in his body grows A really interesting chat with the Daily Mail has sources speaking about the change they’ve seen in James in the last year, which also lines up with when Enzo Maresca publicly called out his leadership skills. “Sources within Chelsea say they have seen a positive change in their 25-year-old right back throughout his period of sustained fitness,” the piece claims. “James found it challenging acting as club captain when he was unable to step foot on a field after his hamstring failed him again… That was then. Now, there is a newfound confidence and an increasing authority to James which comes with his consistent presence in the changing room at Cobham and Stamford Bridge.” They illustrate that with an example we saw in the Tottenham game at half time a couple of weeks ago. Rather than letting players head off down the tunnel individually, James gathered them on the pitch so they could go in together. A small gesture, but a bit of initiative we’re really interested in. In other news… Also in the interview was some interesting chat about James’ fitness, and how the club’s revamped performance department had helped him get back to playing regularly. Chelsea’s back line is missing it’s other physical beast – but Axel Disasi is set to be reintegrated to first team training this month, according to Kaveh Solhekol of Sky Sports.
