Maresca name-checks 6 players he considers “leaders” in inexperienced Chelsea squad | OneFootball

In the story of the construction of this Chelsea squad, there’s always been question marks about the youth of the group and the lack of leadership.

Of course, that only comes up when we’re losing. So far this season we’ve been on a winning run, so there’s not been too much concern about it. But after a wobble in December, Enzo Maresca was asked about his squad’s character in that regard in his press conference yesterday:

“We have different profiles that in some ways are leaders. We have Moi [Caicedo] who is behaving fantastically in that way. Enzo [Fernandez] is improving a lot, Levi [Colwill] is improving a lot. Reece James is one of them, in his way but he’s also improving a lot. We have Tosin who is doing that kind of job. [Marcus] Bettinelli.

‘Sometimes you have different kinds of leaders,” Maresca continued.

“You can have leaders who don’t talk, but when they talk, the rest listen a lot. One who is always vocal is Tosin, for instance. For sure with age, they are going to be better and better.

“Even if he doesn’t wear the armband Levi is one of the captains, and in the future he could be one of the captains of this club. I can see day by day, since we started pre-season, leadership is something he can improve, and he is improving a lot.”

Leaders must stand up to be counted as Chelsea look to get back on track

Enzo Maresca speaks to Noni Madueke. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

After 3 bad results in a row and a sudden pall hanging over Stamford Bridge, this is a moment for all the leaders of all types to step up and show us what they’re made of. Other teams smell blood, and we’ve got to put things right with a big win today.