Reece James has been a pivotal figure for Chelsea since the end of December, overcoming previous injury woes to become a mainstay in the squad. Aside from missing one game due to illness, James has consistently featured in Premier League matches and has been integral to Chelsea’s Conference League outings. This season, he is on track to surpass his previous appearance records, signaling a significant turnaround in his career. Enzo Maresca’s careful management of James’ playing time has been instrumental in this resurgence, ensuring the right-back remains fit and effective throughout the season.
Enzo Maresca said: “Fantastic. Very happy because he played 90 minutes two days ago and played again 45, so for us as a team it is an important moment because we can start to think about him every three days. This is fantastic because he’s our captain, he’s a main player, fantastic player, so it is good news. Then it can happen, we conceded the first goal when he lost the ball, it can happen and the reason why we changed him was because he played 90 minutes two days ago, 45 and that was the plan.”
Maresca has been innovative in utilizing James in a central midfield role, a departure from his traditional position as a right-back. Despite differing opinions from former manager Thomas Tuchel and the England national team, Maresca has been steadfast in his vision for James. He shared insights into his strategy, revealing that he had envisioned James as a midfielder from the outset.
Maresca explained: “You can ask Reece, the day after I signed with Chelsea, I sent him a video about seeing him as a midfielder. I see Reece as a midfielder, not just now but since day one. Before I met him for the first time, when he was on holiday, I sent him a clip of how he could play as a midfielder. So I imagined him playing as a midfielder a long time ago. He is playing [there] now, but the good thing is this season he has played as a full-back, a central defender, many positions, but the main target for us is to help him stay fit all season.”
The strategic management by Maresca and his coaching staff appears to be yielding positive results. James’ versatility and fitness have improved, allowing him to contribute significantly to Chelsea’s pursuit of Champions League qualification. As the season progresses, James is eager to maintain his form and help his team achieve their goals.
