Chelsea defender Reece James has expressed his desire to become the club captain in the upcoming season, taking on the role after the departure of long-time leader Cesar Azpilicueta this summer.
With the captain’s armband now vacant, it is up to the new manager, Mauricio Pochettino, to decide who will be given the responsibility.
Pochettino has acknowledged that James is a contender for the captaincy role, indicating that the young defender is in the running for the prestigious position at the club.
Chelsea’s management has been grooming James for a leadership role at the club. However, due to the recent departures of key figures like Cesar Azpilicueta, Jorginho, and N’Golo Kante, the need for leadership has become more urgent.
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James revealed that the club’s hierarchy has been preparing him for a leadership position, and now they may have to expedite that process to fill the leadership vacuum created by the departures of experienced players.
As stated by the Evening Standard, he said:
“I’ve been at Chelsea my whole life and it’s something I’ve always dreamt of. When the time’s right, hopefully, it happens. I think everyone has a different way of being a leader.”
“Some speak, and some show their actions on the field. I think I could do both. I’d like to think so [anyway]. I try and help my team as much as I can. There are a lot of young players, and I’ll be one to help them where I can.”
The full-back aims to leave behind a season marred by injuries in 2022/23, as he missed a significant portion of Chelsea’s matches last term.
Recently, there were concerns that he might have suffered another setback when he underwent a scan, causing him to miss the squad’s travel to the United States for pre-season training.
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However, it was discovered that he was only unwell and will be available to play in the upcoming game against Newcastle United.
As he returns to the pitch, the English international will be eager to make a strong impression. Meanwhile, new right-back Malo Gusto has already showcased his talent in Chelsea’s first two pre-season matches.
