“Got it wrong” – Jamie Redknapp thinks Maresca made big error vs Brentford, gave himself a “problem” | OneFootball

Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp believes Enzo Maresca made a major error by starting Wesley Fofana at right back against Brentford.

Chelsea maintained their unbeaten start to the season, but were held to a 2-2 draw on Saturday night after conceding a stoppage time equaliser from a long throw in.

The Blues recovered from a poor first half, with the substitutions making a difference and found themselves 2-1 up with less than ten minutes to go thanks to goals from Cole Palmer and Moises Caicedo, but they couldn’t see the game out.

Jamie Redknapp criticises Enzo Maresca for starting Wesley Fofana

As expected after the international break and some injury issues Maresca shuffled his pack for the first time this season.

Hato and Fofana were handed their first starts of the season, with Facundo Buonanotte also handed his Chelsea debut.

Fofana started his first game after featuring as a substitute against West Ham. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

It wasn’t a surprise to see Fofana in the line-up, but it was surprising to see him deployed at right back with both Reece James and Malo Gusto on the bench.

Fofana was solid enough, but clearly looked rusty, having been out injured for so long and was replaced at half time by James.

James really impressed, and Redknapp believes Maresca made a mistake in starting the Frenchman at right back.

“For a player who has been out injured so long [Fofana], to go and ask a player to go and play right-back, especially a place where it’s fast and furious like Brentford,” he told Sky Sports.

“He got it wrong in the first half, and he gave himself a problem, he didn’t pick the right team.”

Reece James shows his class

James made a big difference when he came on at half time along with Marc Cucurella, and he showed his quality both defensively and on the ball.

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The England international inverted into midfield and was more than up for the physical challenge and showed why he’s Chelsea’s first choice right back.

It will be interesting if James starts against Bayern Munich on Wednesday, but there’s no denying Chelsea are a better team when he’s on the pitch.