Jamie Carragher blasts Chelsea's Reece James for response to Enzo Maresca demand

Jamie Carragher has become the latest person to question ' leadership after head coach did likewise earlier this week.

The Blues captain missed the start of the new campaign through injury but and is widely considered to be one of the club's most influential players.

Maresca, however, in a press conference this week. The Italian raised eyebrows in some quarters when he said he 'expected more' of James in terms of leadership inside the dressing room.

“I spoke with him and I expect from him more in terms of leadership inside the changing room,” Maresca explained. “He's on the way, he's doing well, he's progressing but I expect more.

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“Most of the time, a player thinks that 'because I am captain I expect that you [the manager] give me more'. No, for me because you are the captain you have to give more. You have to give more than the rest. I expect it from Reece and his team-mates expect it from him to give always more in terms of leadership.”

During Chelsea's 2-1 win over on Sunday, appeared to endorse Maresca's comments while analysing the role the defender played in the visitors' equalising goal, which was plundered by Alexander Isak.

Carragher said: “Just look at him here with Isak. I mean, OK, you lose him - either run back or scream at someone that they’ve got to pick him up. He just lets him go, and I go back to what the manager said before the game; he wants more from him as a leader.

Do you agree with Maresca and Carragher on James?

“That’s what I’m talking about. You’ve either got to do your job and run back or if you lose him, speak to your mate there and pass on some information.”

Carragher's Sky Sports colleague, , agreed with the former defender's verdict. He added: “It’s like players now want to stick to their positions, left-back, I’ll stay here, I’ll pass on responsibility. Exactly what you said there with Reece James.”

Isak's goal had cancelled out Nicolas Jackson's early opener, though the Blues hit the front again early in the second half through Cole Palmer, whose clinical strike proved decisive.

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