Enzo Maresca has allotted a new role for Chelsea skipper Reece James
Chelsea captain Reece James claims he is enjoying his new role under manager Enzo Maresca. The English full-back was given a new position in the pre-season match against Welsh club Wrexham by the Italian manager. Chelsea will play four more friendlies before the Premier League kick-off, per Metro.
James joined the Chelsea academy at the age of sixteen and progressed through the Cobham, making his first appearances for the Blues in 2019. The English international also played in the 2021 Champions League victory. He has scored 11 goals and contributed 22 assists in 158 games for the Blues over his five-year journey. He has established himself as a top full-back in the English top-flight league with his performances for his boyhood club.
Named the captain of the West London club last season, James missed a major part of the campaign due to injury and surgery. The skipper celebrated his comeback to Stamford Bridge by providing a match-winning assist for Nicolas Jackson against Nottingham Forest in May.
Currently, James has regained his form and fitness and joined the pre-season training under Maresca. The Italian tactician featured James in the middle of the park for the pre-season game against Wrexham. The Chelsea defender enjoyed his new position and claimed he needs to learn more under the new manager. James told reporters after the game (h/t Metro) that the Chelsea manager is set to implement new ideas in the team, starting with the pre-season games.
The early days have been very enjoyable. It’s a lot different to what I’m used to but I think with how I play it suits me quite well. I’ve still got a lot to learn for what he wants in the role but I’m excited and I can’t wait. It’s always a dream come true [to be captain], it’s a great feeling to step out and represent the club and to have the armband on it’s a special moment and something I dreamt of since I was a young boy. I think [we need to] build game on game, take one step at a time and take each training session as it comes and take pre-season and hopefully come the start of the season we’re in a very good place.’
Maresca to rebuild the squad
Chelsea fans have immense trust in their new manager, Enzo Maresca, and they anticipate he can continue his winning streak with the West London club. The club will undergo major changes under the new boss, and the players are excited about their new challenges under the Italian gaffer.
Chelsea started their pre-season matches with a draw against Wrexham, and Maresca has brought many changes to the squad from last season. One major change was using skipper James in the midfield to make key passes from the middle of the park. Malo Gusto also performed this role after replacing James in the first half.
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Maresca started the game with a three-man defence, inverting the full-backs into the midfield to strengthen the attack. He may continue this plan in the upcoming season for the Blues. The players will have to adapt to new positions under Maresca, and the manager may make suitable changes based on pre-season performances and future transfer plans.
