Enzo Maresca on Reece James injury fears and “important” Nicolas Jackson | OneFootball

Chelsea have just lost to Brighton in the FA Cup, but beyond that there were broader concerns about one of their key players.

Captain Reece James has been through injury hell in the last few years, but has been playing regularly in the last month. After featuring on Monday in the game against West Ham, it was noted that James didn’t appear in any training photos this week.

Fears that he may have picked up another issue took a step forwards when he wasn’t included in the matchday squad tonight. The good news is that, according to manager Enzo Maresca in his press conference just now, this was all part of James’ recovery strategy:

“[The absence] it was planned. He is okay, he is training but is was to protect him.”

Maresca’s team struggle without James and other attacking options

Reece James celebrates his equaliser for Chelsea. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC)

Without James there to add his usual dynamism down the right, it was another very poor attacking performance from Chelsea. Enzo Maresca tried to spin positive, but it wasn’t very convincing.

As well as James, the absence of Nicolas Jackson was really damaging, as Maresca noted:

“Sometimes I think you need to play some games without players to realise how important they are. Off the ball, his pressing is always very good and on the ball he is a threat always. We started very good, controlled and created some chances. The second-half more or less happened the same. If there is something good after a defeat is now we can be focused on the Premier League and Conference.”

Well, that’s certainly a nice way of looking at it. He’s had two full teams to play with this season and he’s still happy to go out of a cup he should be desperate to win.