“It’s when…” – Maresca explains his logic behind major line-up decision | OneFootball

Reece James was showered with plaudits for his performance for Chelsea in midfield against Arsenal on Sunday, and in today’s press conference Enzo Maresca was asked to talk a little about when he decides he wants his captain in the middle of the pitch and when he wants him in his natural role as a right back.

Maresca on his James decisions

Reece James and an Enzo Maresca split screen. (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)

“I think he can play in both positions,” the coach explained.

“He has been full-back all his life. He also has played as a midfielder. But I think he can be good in both positions. When we decide for him as a midfielder, most of the time it’s also when we want physicality in terms of midfielders, when we face some teams that are strong in the middle. So it depends a little bit on the game plan. But as you said, he’s doing very well in both positions.”

That midfield role for James is about to become a lot more important because of two factors – one, Moises Caicedo’s three game suspension for his red card against Arsenal. And two, because of the other news that Maresca dropped into the presser, that Dario Essugo, who returned to training last week after a few months out following thigh surgery, “needs to slow down a bit” and “will be out again.”

It sounds like Maresca has his mind made up for him a little in the next weeks.

In other news…

Enzo Maresca also suggested a very interesting team tweak while Moises Caicedo is out – we really hope we see this in at least one game.

Maresca’s press conference also touched on the big news of the week – Cole Palmer’s return and when that might be. We did the calculations here for you.