Can Reece James Reignite His Chelsea Career With Enzo Maresca?

Reece James came up through the Chelsea academy and has been with his boyhood club since he was six. He made his breakthrough for the Blues when he was 19 years old in a 1-0 victory over Newcastle United under the management of club legend Frank Lampard, and since debuting in 2019, he has gone on to make 170 senior appearances for the club. In these six years he has won many major honours- most notably the UEFA Champions League under Thomas Tuchel in 2020/21 where he was arguably in the best form we have seen him in.

However it has not been smooth sailing for the young full-back as he has suffered many long-term injury setbacks and has missed many games for Chelsea. It has been a frustrating time too for supporters as many would argue James is the best on the pitch when he is 100% fit and also the best right-back in world football.

Injury Struggles

Having played just over 1,000 minutes and only 20 matches in the top-tier over the past two seasons, the Englishman has missed north of 100 games in all competitions for Chelsea since 2019. It has been a sad career to watch at times for supporters, as not only does it feel like every time James comes back he is playing under a new manager ever since BlueCo took over in 2022, but also when he comes back from a long-term injury, and slots straight into the first team and stars for a match or two before being sidelined once more for a couple months.

As you can see from the post below, James has struggled specifically with injuries to his hamstring and knee, missing a significant amount of matches and while Chelsea still managed to have a magnificent start to the 2024/25 season without him, there is no doubt that Chelsea are a better team with him in it. It is however just a real shame with how much time he is out injured, with fans concerned that his injuries will have a long-term inpact on the longevity of his career.

Reece James sidelined again!

Here’s a look at his injury record with the club:

Games played: 162
Games missed: 129
Injuries sustained: 20

A truly frustrating trend for one of Chelsea’s brightest talents. 💔

Can Chelsea afford to keep relying on him with this record?

What’s… pic.twitter.com/pjcd9p7n5W

— Mr Onilè (@MrOnile_) November 21, 2024

Past Form

Throughout his Chelsea career, Reece James when fit is arguably one of the best players in his position on the planet. A strong and powerful player who can also whip in pinpoint crosses and also has a fierce powershot as well. The season after the Blues won the Champions League, it was the 2021/22 season where Reece James shined for Chelsea, picking up 14 goal contributions- five goals and nine assists in just 26 games in the Premier League, averaging an involvement every other match.

He was playing as a wing-back during most of the season, occasionally filling in at centre-back when required. This was the 25-year-old's first full season playing further forward than what he was used to so it is no surprise why current manager Enzo Maresca believes he can turn him into an out and out midfielder.

A Transformation?

Chelsea boss Maresca has recently come out saying he sees James as a midfielder for the future. This came off the back of the defender's recent stint as part of a two-man defensive midfield alongside Moises Caicedo in his last two matches- one in the league against Aston Villa and another in the first-leg of their round of 16 UEFA Europa Conference League tie against FC Copenhagen.

The Blues experienced mixed fortunes in this tryout, both losing and winning 2-1 respectively. However, Maresca would see this as a success as James scored from outside the box in what proved to be the winner in Denmark.

Chelsea's strong start to the season completely fell apart as the winter period began. They suffered many injuries to key back ups in the midfield and Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez were tiring game by game, so a transformation for Reece James into the midfield will really strengthen the Blues in that third of the pitch and it gives more options for Maresca should a midfielder get injured.

🔵✨ Maresca: “Reece James is a leader, a top player. The day after I signed in at Chelsea, I sent him a video about seeing him as a midfielder”.

“I see Reece as a midfielder. Since day one. I sent him a clip when he was on holiday about how he can be a midfielder!”. pic.twitter.com/t01OV33s9Z

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 6, 2025

Moving Forward

Reece James has been a blue since the age of six and every time he is on the pitch he gives everything to be a difference maker and it has been seen, whether it be a last-ditch tackle to block a shot, or a precise cross from a set-piece.

If Maresca thinks James will be a good midfielder, I have no doubt that he will be able to reignite his career there, and reach the heights he once did. With the vision he has, Blues fans may think they briefly see Jorginho in a different form. Although at the moment for Chelsea fans, the 2020/21 season may feel like a long time ago, James will be integral to this team if they want to reach the pinnacle in Europe once more.