“I don’t like it” – Maresca’s big tactical innovation brutally shot down by Chelsea legend | OneFootball

John Terry was on TalkSport yesterday, and his run in the media has now continued with a chat to the BBC about Reece James and his future.

Terry was very positive with his comments overall, calling for patience with the current project and pointing out some of the stars from the youth team who could go on to be great. But he wat odds with Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca over one thing – the use of Reece James in midfield.

What seemed at first like a one off experiment has now become a regular feature, and Maresca has said himself that he sees James playing there long term. It’s not a move that many Blues fans agree with, and Terry also has his doubts.

“I don’t like it, to be honest, people drifting in [to midfield] I think it is more confusing,” Terry said in his interview with BBC Sport.

“Midfielders are very comfortable with their back to goal. When defenders step into those roles it is probably the opposite, we are probably not as comfortable receiving the ball with our back to goal.”

This backed up what England manager Thomas Tuchel has said – that he sees James as “a player for the full back and wing back positions.”

Terry on James’ “different” leadership style

John Terry on Club World Cup

Terry’s comments about James also touched on his leadership style. It often has not been favourably compared to Terry’s own form of rousing the troops, but the former captain insists it’s just as valid:

“Reece leads the team different to the way I did which is fine. There is different ways to be a captain and a leader. I said this to him, Reece has to be 100 percent Reece James. He doesn’t need to be 10 percent John Terry.

“He has to be really authentic because he is the one speaking in front of the boys as well and – if not – people will see through it if not. He is doing a good job, but I think first and foremost when you are at a captain of a football club you need to be consistent in your performances and to do that you have to play week in and week out.”