Our skipper has alternated between his well-established spot at right-back and a different role in midfield throughout Maresca’s time as Blues head coach, and featured in the latter at Tottenham on Saturday.
Moises Caicedo caught the eye with another impressive performance and created the game’s only goal, winning possession and teeing up Joao Pedro to make it 1-0. However, his midfield partner for the day was arguably just as important to the victory.
That combination of Caicedo and James bossed the centre of the pitch, despite Spurs attempting to crowd out the midfield by creating a numerical advantage in that area with their team selection, which our head coach explained was why James’ presence there was deemed crucial.
‘It depends a little bit on the game plan. I think yesterday we needed a little bit more physicality in the middle,’ explained Maresca.
‘We expected them to play with [Pape Mater] Sarr, with [Rodrigo] Bentancur, with [Joao] Palhinha. We didn't expect them with four midfielders, because then [Lucas] Bergvall also played.
‘So we needed a little bit more physicality in the middle, but it depends a little bit on the game plan.’
Once again, James certainly didn’t look out of place in our midfield. It leaves Maresca in the happy position of knowing he can rely on his captain to perform to the highest level, as a defender, as a midfielder and, perhaps most importantly of all, as a leader.
‘I think Reece is doing fantastic when he's playing as a midfielder, he's doing fantastic when he's playing full-back, and he's doing fantastic in terms of leadership with the players inside the changing room,’ concluded Enzo.