James: Chelsea ´must fight for each other´

Chelsea demonstrated the kind of unity they will need as they look to put Enzo Maresca’s departure behind them, so said Reece James after a battling 1-1 draw with Manchester City.

Enzo Fernandez scored deep in second-half stoppage time to rescue a point for managerless Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

Tijjani Reijnders had put City ahead, but Pep Guardiola’s team could not make the most of some promising openings to put the result beyond doubt.

Chelsea were led by interim boss Calum McFarlane in the wake of Maresca’s shock departure on Thursday.

James told Sky Sports: “We had to accept what we were on earlier on in the week and put it behind us.

“We came here with a gameplan. In the first half, we made a slight error for their goal. But we grew into the game in the second half and we knew a chance would come and Enzo took the chance when it came.

“Credit to the staff that stepped up. They haven’t been in this role before. To come to Manchester City away as your first game is difficult.

“We had to adapt fast. We came out in the second half with a slightly different plan and as the game went on, we grew more into it.

“We have to stand together as a unit. We are one. We missed many players today, but so many other players stepped up. We fought as a team and I am proud of the boys.

“Of course, it’s difficult but we have to fight for each other. We dug in and got the point.”

That Chelsea spirit. #CFC | #MCICHE pic.twitter.com/xsnqS1s32p

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 4, 2026

Strasbourg boss Liam Rosenior has been linked with taking charge, though he insisted on Saturday that his focus for now was on the Ligue 1 club.

“We know nothing at the moment,” said James.

“This whole week was about this game. What happens behind the scenes is not down to us. We took a point from a very difficult place to come. We have to recover. We will see what happens in the coming days.”

Fernandez’s goal, timed at 93:14, is the latest equaliser or winner that Man City have conceded at home in the Premier League since Michael Olise for Crystal Palace in a 2-2 draw in December 2023 (94:28).

“A difficult moment for us but it’s part of football. Happy for the team,” Fernandez told Sky Sports.

“Of course, I am sorry for [Maresca] but it is part of football and life. We keep going.”

Chelsea are back in action on Wednesday when they face Fulham.