Reece James says shaking his injury problems has helped him grow as a leader, as he declared himself at his fittest in years ahead of tonight’s Conference League final.
James has the chance to lift his first silverware as Chelsea captain when the Blues take on Real Betis in Wroclaw, in what would be a fine end to a campaign after two-and-a-half years of miserable injury disruption.
Whether the full-back starts the game remains to be seen. Enzo Maresca has been careful in managing James’s workload since he returned to fitness in the New Year and a tight three-day turnaround since Sunday’s win over Nottingham Forest could see the 25-year-old drop to the bench.
Still, it has been a positive second half of the campaign for James, whose 19 Premier League appearances are the most he has made in a single season since 2021/22 and have seen him regain his place in the England squad.
“It’s definitely the best I’ve felt,” James said. “I’ve played the most this season in two or three years.
“I’m so happy to be back on the pitch helping the team as much as I can regularly and if I’m called upon I’ll be ready [tonight].”
James was made Chelsea’s permanent club captain by Mauricio Pochettino at the start of last season but he would make just ten league appearances amid a spate of hamstring problems.
The right-back kept the armband when Enzo Maresca was appointed last summer but at one stage earlier this season drew criticism from the Italian, who said he “expected more” from his captain during his time on the sidelines.
Maresca has more recently praised James’s influence as a leader and the defender, too, believes he is growing into the role.
“I think one thing to remember is captains and leaders are made, they’re not born,” he said. “I got given the role at such a young age, when I was going through a difficult period, I had a lot of injuries, I wasn’t on the pitch so much.
“So, it was definitely hard during my first season as captain. But I think I’ve grown so much in helping the team, the more I play.”
