With the year drawing to a close and Chelsea's season halfway through, Enzo Maresca expressed his expectations for the team in 2026. Chelsea have won two trophies in the past 12 months, bringing the Champions League title back to Stamford Bridge, making 2025 a highly successful year for Enzo Maresca and his players.  

However, the work is still ongoing, and the head coach is well aware of this. At the press conference, when asked about his most desired goal for 2026, Enzo Maresca said, "Continuous improvement is the most crucial thing. With a game every two or three days, injuries are inevitable. But if all the players stay healthy, that would be ideal. We will take it one game at a time and try to find solutions."  

“We are currently participating in four competitions and are in excellent form. The team is performing positively and is highly competitive. However, the schedule in January and February is quite packed, so we plan to set clear milestones in March.”  

This year has also been exceptional for Reece James. Under the team's careful guidance, the captain has successfully returned to his best form and is now back to peak performance. After the team won the league title and the Club World Cup, the captain joyfully lifted both trophies. Undoubtedly, Reece James has once again solidified his important position in Chelsea.  

He stated, "Reece James' leadership and tactical acumen are constantly improving as his playing time increases. This is something that makes us feel reassured; he is able to stay healthy and fulfill his leadership role."  

“He is a key player for the team for several reasons. He comes from the youth academy and is a player developed by our club. At the same time, he serves as captain and there is no doubt that, as long as he stays healthy, he is one of the best players in the team, thus making him a starter.”