Football

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has implored captain Reece James to assume a more prominent leadership role within the team. James, who recently returned from injury, has been urged to demonstrate greater influence both on and off the pitch.Maresca emphasized the importance of James' leadership qualities, stating, "I expect from him more in terms of leadership inside the changing room. He's on the way, he's doing well, he's progressing, but I expect more."The Italian manager believes that James, as captain, has a responsibility to set an example and inspire his teammates. "For me, because you are the captain, you have to give more. You have to give more than the rest," Maresca explained.James' leadership role has been limited due to his injury absence and the presence of Conor Gallagher as captain for much of last season. However, Maresca is seeking to develop leaders from within the squad and has had positive discussions with James about his expectations."He's understanding that we're expecting more from him," Maresca said. "He's our guy from the academy. It's one of the reasons why he has to show more in terms of personality."Maresca acknowledged that James is a reserved individual but believes that he can develop the necessary leadership qualities. "When you don't have a proper leader, you need to build that. I think we don't have a proper leader. We need to build them. Reece is one who is on the way but he's not there. He needs to make an effort."James is expected to feature against Newcastle in the Premier League on Sunday, and Maresca will be looking for him to demonstrate the leadership qualities he has been demanding.

Mauricio Pochettino's Chelsea tenure remains uncertain despite a 2-1 victory over Bournemouth on Sunday that secured European football for the Blues next season. The Argentine manager dined with Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly ahead of the match, but Pochettino expressed uncertainty about his long-term future at Stamford Bridge.Chelsea's victory, aided by Moses Caicedo's spectacular goal from the halfway line, ensured a sixth-place finish in the Premier League. However, the club's European fate remains in limbo, as an FA Cup final victory for Manchester United over Manchester City could relegate Chelsea from the Europa League to the Conference League.Pochettino had anticipated a meeting with Chelsea executives at the end of the season to assess the campaign, but he admitted on Sunday that he was unsure if it would take place. "I don't know if (the meeting) is going to happen or not," he said. "On Friday night, Todd invited me for dinner. It was a very nice dinner together."Despite the uncertainty, Pochettino expressed some optimism from his dinner with Boehly. "If I invite you alone, and you and me have a dinner, it's not for a bad thing," he said. "If I need to tell you something, I call to go for a coffee, not for a dinner."Chelsea's victory over Bournemouth marked their fifth consecutive league win, a testament to the progress made by a young squad under Pochettino's guidance. Raheem Sterling doubled Chelsea's lead after halftime, and although Bournemouth pulled a goal back through Enes Unal's deflected strike, the Blues held on for the win.Pochettino emphasized the importance of continuity for Chelsea's future. "Always you can improve," he said. "They're going to be much better next season. They're going to have one year experience, tough experience. That's the advantage of being solid and consistent and not too many changes.""If next season we keep 80, 85 percent of the squad, for sure it's a big step forward. It's about having continuity in the ideas, and the knowledge between (the players)."

Chelsea Football Club has reported pre-tax losses of £90.1 million ($114.8 million) for the 2022-23 financial year, marking a reduction from the previous year's losses of £121.4 million. Despite the losses, Chelsea remains compliant with UEFA and Premier League financial regulations.The club's financial results reflect increased scrutiny on league profit and sustainability rules, which allow for losses of up to £105 million over a three-year period. Chelsea's parent company, Blueco 22 Ltd., which also owns Racing Club Strasbourg, reported a net loss of £653 million ($833 million) for the year.Chelsea's losses come amidst a significant spending spree on transfers since the club was acquired by a consortium led by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital in 2022. Despite the investment, Chelsea has struggled on the field, currently sitting 11th in the Premier League and facing the prospect of missing out on Champions League qualification for the second consecutive year.The club's financial report highlights the challenge of balancing on-field success with financial sustainability. Chelsea's turnover increased from £481.3 million to £512.5 million, but decreased broadcasting revenue due to the team's poor performance in the previous season impacted the club's finances.Chelsea's failure to qualify for the Champions League this season and the potential absence from the competition next season could further strain the club's finances. The club's financial performance will be closely monitored in the coming years as it navigates the challenges of complying with financial regulations while striving for on-field success.