James, who was 26 at the time of reflecting on the period, was officially appointed club captain in August 2023 following the departure of long-serving predecessor Cesar Azpilicueta earlier that off-season.
James, who was 26 at the time of reflecting on the period, was officially appointed club captain in August 2023 following the departure of long-serving predecessor Cesar Azpilicueta earlier that off-season.
However, the timing of the appointment proved far from ideal. When the announcement was made, James was already dealing with a serious hamstring injury that ultimately required surgery.
The setback ruled him out for the majority of the 2023/24 season, significantly limiting his presence both on the pitch and around the squad.
James acknowledged that attempting to lead the team while undergoing rehabilitation was a major challenge, as his focus was often split between recovery and his new leadership responsibilities.
Although he returned to action in the 2024/25 campaign, James suffered a couple of further hamstring injuries. While these were less severe than the initial problem, they continued to disrupt his momentum.
“I think for me, the easiest thing and probably where I’ve had the most growth in terms of leadership is when I’ve been fit,” James told Chelsea’s in-house media team.
“When I first got the role, I found it super tough, you know, a lot of pressure, and I wasn’t fit; I wasn’t playing.
“So to get the messages across to the team and help push everyone was tough.
“I was trying to find my feet, as well as push everyone else…
“I think the moment I started to play more regularly is when I’ve improved a lot and come on.”
