Enzo Maresca has revealed how playing Reece James in midfield for Chelsea has been a long-term idea.
James is mostly known for his quality as a right-back but started as a midfielder for the Blues in their 2-1 win over FC Copenhagen.
He scored the opening goal of their UEFA Conference League last 16 first leg clash with a first-time effort from outside the area.
The 25-year-old ran from midfield as soon as Marc Cucurella regained possession on the left before hitting his shot into the bottom corner.
Whilst his positioning may have appeared unorthodox, Chelsea head coach Maresca revealed that playing James in midfield is nothing new.
“You can ask Reece,” he explained in his post-match press conference.
“When I signed with Chelsea, probably the day after, I sent him a video about seeing him as a midfielder.
“I saw Reece as a midfielder, not now but since day one. I sent him… As I said, before I met him for the first time he was on holiday, I sent him a clip about him, how he can play [as a] midfielder.
“So I imagined Reece playing [as a] midfielder a long time ago, he’s playing now but the good thing about him, he played this year already [at] full-back.
“Already [as a] central defender, he played in different positions. But the main target for us is to help him to be fit all season.”
Maresca was referring to James’ loan spell at Wigan Athletic during the 2018/19 season, which was instrumental in his rise at Chelsea.
The then teenager excelled for the Latics as he was their Player of the Year and selected to the Championship Team of the Season.
James started off at right-back before moving into midfield, with one outing in particular seeing him win Wigan’s Goal of the Season award.
During a 2-2 draw away at Bristol City, the Chelsea academy product shrugged off an opponent and fired into the top corner from range.
It’s a goal that certainly caught the eye of Maresca and gave him the chance to remind his club captain of his versatility.
“When you watch a player, sometimes you also have to use a little bit of imagination,” he further explained.
“You have to imagine a player doing something and I always imagined him also behaving as a midfielder.
“Then I watched some of his games when he was on loan from Chelsea to the Championship [with Wigan], where I still remember he scored a fantastic goal from 25, 30 metres as a midfielder.
“I still remember the video that I sent him, and especially the best thing from Reece in this moment that is also helping us in terms of leadership.
“And he’s growing a lot since I measured that we need him, and this is important.”
James had played in midfield for Chelsea before Thursday night’s win in Copenhagen and could earn more appearances there with Maresca.
It was only his 12th appearance of the season, with hamstring issues limiting his minutes for the Blues.
The goal was also his second of the campaign and followed by an Enzo Fernandez finish to give Chelsea the advantage for the second leg next week.
