John Terry disagrees with Enzo Maresca’s Reece James verdict as Chelsea legend reveals ‘I don’t like it’

John Terry has spoken out about Enzo Maresca‘s verdict on Reece James, as the Chelsea legend revealed he ‘does not like’ the Blues manager’s assessment.

James, who has enjoyed regular minutes under Maresca since returning from injury at the start of January, has often been deployed as a defensive midfielder.

While the 25-year-old has spent the majority of his seven-year professional career as a right back, Maresca insisted that he had an alternative vision for James before arriving in west London.

‘I see Reece as a midfielder, not just now but since day one,’ Maresca said at the start of the month. ‘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. So I imagined him playing as a midfielder a long time ago.’

But former Chelsea manager and current England boss, Thomas Tuchel, recently said that James ‘is a player for the full-back and wing-back positions’, ahead of England’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia. 

Terry agreed with the latter’s verdict, stating that he dislikes the recent tactical evolvement in football, which sees the roles of defenders and midfielders being somewhat compounded.

Maresca explained that he planned to play James as a midfielder before he even met him

Traditionally a right back, James has had to make way for others in his natural position

‘I agree with that [Tuchel’s assessment]. I see him as a defender,’ ex-Chelsea captain told BBC Sport. ‘I don’t like it, to be honest, people drifting in [to midfield]. I think it is more confusing. 

Terry went on to state that a midfielder’s responsibility is completely different to that of a defender.

He implied that Chelsea would not have enjoyed such a rock-solid defensive season in 2005-06, which saw them allow just 15 goals in the Premier League, had they strayed from traditional defensive roles.

Terry added: ‘Midfielders are very comfortable with their back to goal. When defenders step into those roles it is probably the opposite, we are probably not as comfortable receiving the ball with our back to goal.

‘A very different role and first and foremost, talking about the 2005-06 season, we conceded 15 goals and top teams are built around good foundations and I think you need that. To be able to do that, you need a back four or a solid back three in place.’

Traditionally a full back, James has sometimes featured in Chelsea’s midfield pivot alongside Moises Caicedo, while making room for Wesley Fofana or Malo Gusto at right back.

And, even when Maresca does play him in his natural position, the England international is often asked to invert into the midfield when Chelsea have possession, as is so often the demand of modern full backs at the highest level. 

James has started just eight league games this season, with injury issues continuing to prove to be a stumbling block in his career. 

Nevertheless, his performances have done enough to impress his former gaffer Tuchel, as he earned a call-up to the new England manager’s inaugural squad.