Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has shed light on his surprise tactical tweak that saw Reece James deployed in central midfield during the Blues’ 1–0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on 1 November 2025. The move, which raised eyebrows before kick-off, proved decisive as Chelsea extended their strong London derby record under Maresca with a composed away win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The Chelsea captain, usually stationed at right-back, lined up alongside Moises Caicedo in a double midfield pivot, while Enzo Fernández pushed further forward to support an attacking trio of Alejandro Garnacho, Pedro Neto, and João Pedro. The tactical reshuffle paid off handsomely, with João Pedro capitalising on Micky van de Ven’s error after Caicedo’s pressing forced a turnover inside the box — ending the Brazilian’s ten-game goal drought.
Why Enzo Maresca Deployed Reece James in Midfield
Speaking post-match, Maresca explained that the decision was born from a desire for greater physical presence in central areas. Tottenham surprised Chelsea by lining up with four central midfielders — Pape Matar Sarr, Rodrigo Bentancur, João Palhinha, and Lucas Bergvall (later replaced by Xavi Simons following a head injury).
“It depends a little bit on the game plan,” Maresca said. “I think today we needed a little bit more physicality in the middle. We expected them to play with Sarr, with Bentancur, with Palhinha. We didn’t expect them with four midfielders, because then Bergvall also played. So we needed a little bit more physicality in the middle.” — Enzo Maresca, post-match interview
The Italian tactician added that James’ adaptability was a key factor in maintaining balance between defence and midfield transitions. “Reece is doing fantastic when he’s playing midfielder, he’s doing fantastic when he’s playing full-back, and he’s doing fantastic in terms of leadership inside the changing room,” he added.
Tactical Breakdown: James Adds Steel and Structure
Chelsea’s shape often morphed between a 4-2-3-1 and 3-2-4-1, with James stepping into midfield during build-up to aid circulation and disrupt Tottenham’s press. The England international’s reading of the game, coupled with his tackling and ball-carrying ability, allowed Caicedo more freedom to press higher.
Maresca’s setup effectively nullified Spurs’ congested midfield, forcing Thomas Frank’s men into wider areas where Malo Gusto and Marc Cucurella dealt comfortably with service from the flanks.
Numbers That Tell the Story
| Stat (vs Tottenham, 1 Nov 2025) | Reece James |
|---|---|
| Touches | 78 |
| Pass Accuracy | 87% |
| Tackles Won | 3 |
| Duels Won | 6/9 |
| Recoveries | 9 |
| Key Passes | 2 |
source: Sofascore match data – 1 Nov 2025
James’ defensive numbers underline why Maresca trusted him centrally. His blend of timing and strength allowed Chelsea to control second balls and blunt Tottenham’s attempts to play through the middle.
Our View: Tactical Maturity and Depth Emerging at Chelsea
In our view, Maresca’s decision reflects growing tactical maturity within this young Chelsea side. Rather than rigidly adhering to a system, the Italian is building a fluid, adaptable structure capable of responding to different opponents. James’ hybrid skill set — part defender, part playmaker — gives the manager valuable flexibility in big matches.
It also highlights a broader trend under Maresca: positional versatility as a weapon. Players like Fernández, Neto and Garnacho interchanged seamlessly, while Caicedo’s energy anchored the midfield. Chelsea now look more balanced and pragmatic — less obsessed with possession, more focused on match control.
If Maresca continues to blend tactical intelligence with intensity, Chelsea’s top-four challenge could quietly gather pace.
Key Insights
- Tactical surprise: Maresca deployed Reece James in midfield for added strength.
- Physical battle: Plan aimed to combat Spurs’ four-man midfield setup.
- João Pedro relief: Ended 10-game goal drought to seal vital win.
- Fluid structure: Chelsea alternated between 4-2-3-1 and 3-2-4-1 shapes.
- Leadership focus: Maresca praised James’ influence in the dressing room.
What’s Next for Chelsea
Chelsea return to Stamford Bridge next weekend to host Wolves before midweek Champions League duties. Expect Maresca to rotate selectively, but James’ central role may now become a tactical option against high-intensity sides.
👉 Chelsea fans — would you keep Reece James in midfield for the next match, or move him back to right-back?
1 Comment (last comment by Adem)
First read message
By Adem 2 Nov 2025 10:45
We dominated that game, so hats off, but I hate to see Reece as a CM - Lavia could have done the same, but maybe he was managing Lavia because he played during the week against Wolves.
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