July 25th 2024.
During Chelsea's recent friendly match against Wrexham, Reece James was given the opportunity to captain the team by manager Enzo Maresca. Despite the honor, James humbly acknowledged that he still has much to learn in his new role.
The match was an important part of Chelsea's preparations for the upcoming Premier League season, and it took place in California against the League One side. After struggling with injuries last season, James is now fully fit and eager to make a significant impact under his new manager.
In the game, the 24-year-old played the first 45 minutes as captain, but in a slightly different position than usual. Known for his attacking runs down the wing and precise crosses, James was asked by Maresca to play in a more central role.
When asked about the demands of this new position, James said, "The early days have been very enjoyable. It's a lot different to what I'm used to but I think with how I play, it suits me quite well. I've still got a lot to learn for what he wants in the role but I'm excited and I can't wait."
In addition to his new role, James was also able to put his injury woes behind him by playing in the match. He expressed his joy at being back on the field with his team, saying, "It's great to be back out there. I've been sidelined for so long in the last two years and to be back out there with my team is an amazing feeling."
As captain of Chelsea, James also shared his pride in wearing the armband and representing the club. "It's always a dream come true," he said. "It's a great feeling to step out and represent the club and to have the armband on, it's a special moment and something I dreamt of since I was a young boy."
Looking ahead to the new season, James emphasized the importance of taking things one step at a time and building on each game and training session. He believes that if the team continues to work hard during preseason, they will be in a good position for the start of the season.
Maresca, who was previously successful as manager of Leicester City, attempted to implement his own system and tactics during the match against Wrexham. He acknowledged that it can be difficult to find solutions when facing a team that sits back with a defensive strategy, but he was pleased with the team's performance and the identity they showed on the field.
"We tried first-half and second-half," Maresca said. "For sure, we did many things we can improve but we started just two weeks ago. Tonight was important to start seeing the identity of the team and the identity is there tonight."
Overall, the match against Wrexham was a positive step for Chelsea as they continue to prepare for the new season. Fans can look forward to seeing more of James in his new role and the team's progress under Maresca's leadership.
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