Enzo Maresca: Reece James' ability to play in various positions has always been one of his key strengths, and Enzo Maresca shared that he spoke about the possibility of the Chelsea captain playing in midfield just one day after taking the job. During the latter part of his 2018/19 loan at Wigan Athletic, James stood out in a central midfield role, earning the club's Player of the Year, Player's Player of the Year, and Goal of the Season awards by the end of the campaign.
Although the 25-year-old has rarely featured in midfield or central defence for either Chelsea or England, Maresca confirmed that the idea of James playing in the centre of the park was always considered.
"You can ask Reece, the day after I signed with Chelsea, I sent him a video about seeing him as a midfielder. I see Reece as a midfielder, not just now but since day one. Before I met him for the first time, when he was on holiday, I sent him a clip of how he could play as a midfielder.
