Reece James is following in some huge footsteps as the club captain at Chelsea.
The Blues have been fortunate enough to be led by some fantastic skippers over the years. The Chelsea captains of the Premier League era include the likes of Dennis Wise, Cesar Azpilicueta and John Terry.
Reece James, 25, currently wears the armband at Stamford Bridge. It’s extra special because the versatile star is a product of the Chelsea academy.
However, the one grey area is the fact that the Englishman misses a lot of games through injury.
Since James was officially appointed Chelsea’s captain at the start of the 2023/24 season, he’s only played 25 matches across all competitions.
Season Injury Days missed Games missed
2024/25 Ill 5 1
2024/25 Hamstring 39 10
2024/25 Hamstring 67 11
2023/24 Surgery 152 29
2023/24 Hamstring 55 9
Reece James’ injury record since the start of the 2023/24 season via Transfermarkt
Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images
Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images
John Terry advises Reece James to be his own Chelsea captain
Former Chelsea captain Terry admits that he recently had a conversation with James. In particular, they spoke about how the current Blues star needs to lead the team in his own way.
“Reece leads the team different to the way I did which is fine. There is different ways to be a captain and a leader,” Terry told BBC Sport.
“I said this to him, Reece has to be 100 percent Reece James. He doesn’t need to be 10 percent John Terry.
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“He has to be really authentic because he is the one speaking in front of the boys as well and – if not – people will see through.
“He is doing a good job, but I think first and foremost when you are at a captain of a football club you need to be consistent in your performances and to do that you have to play week in and week out.”
Nobody is going to come along and match Terry in the type of iconic captain he was for over a decade at Chelsea. However, the young squad is crying out for some leadership and guidance right now.
James recently organised a bonding meal to try boost morale and get the Blues players on the same page.
The biggest way he can lead this group is by staying fit and putting in the type of world-class performances he’s capable of.
Photo by Andrew Kearns - CameraSport via Getty Images
Photo by Andrew Kearns – CameraSport via Getty Images
Reece James has grown as a leader
Earlier in the season, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca did speak publicly about James and his role as the captain. The most important thing is that he’s had a positive reaction from the player.
It was October 2024 when Maresca explained James needed to step up and become a bigger leader inside the Blues dressing room.
Speaking earlier this month, Maresca said James is growing as a leader and he’s taken his advice onboard.
The most important thing is that James has kept himself fit so far in 2025 and started to get a run of appearances together, which has even led to his first England call-up in two years.