Chelsea’s new head coach, Xabi Alonso, has officially confirmed that Reece James will keep his role as the team captain. Alonso has started his duties at the Premier League club as pre-season preparations kick off this week.
The former Spanish international is currently managing a smaller group of players while the World Cup nears its conclusion. Reece James and teammate Enzo Fernandez are set to face one another in the tournament’s semi-final match between England and Argentina this Wednesday.
Despite this, Alonso remains firm on his decision to hand the captaincy to James upon his return to the squad. Praising the 27-year-old, Alonso stated that James is a versatile player who excels in attack, provides quality crosses, and is skilled with set-pieces. The manager emphasized that James possesses strong ties to the club’s identity, which is a vital quality for the entire roster and incoming players.
