Chelsea’s quest for a top-four finish under Enzo Maresca hit a snag on Saturday, February 22, 2025, with a 2–1 defeat to Aston Villa at Villa Park. Yet amid the disappointment, a tactical experiment shone through: Reece James, the club’s injury-plagued captain and natural right-back, excelled in an unfamiliar defensive midfield role. Despite the loss—sealed by Filip Jorgensen’s late error—the post-match buzz has centered on James’s promising performance, suggesting he could cement his place in the engine room.
Maresca’s gamble to deploy James alongside Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez in midfield raised eyebrows, given his pedigree as one of the Premier League’s elite right-backs when fit. Yet the move paid dividends, harnessing the 16-cap England international’s versatility—a trait honed during his youth as a midfielder and his 2018–19 loan at Wigan Athletic, where he logged 13 starts in central midfield. “The style of play that [Thomas Tuchel] brought in was evident and clear for us to understand,” James once said of his adaptability under a former manager, a sentiment that resonates now as he adapts to Maresca’s vision.
The statistics from Villa Park paint a compelling case for his midfield tenure. James recorded 58 touches—only four fewer than Caicedo—demonstrating his eagerness to dictate play. His passing was near-flawless, with a 95% completion rate (40/42), including four pinpoint long balls to forwards like Pedro Neto and Cole Palmer. “Partidazo descomunal de Reece James en el centro del campo,” tweeted @edu17burgos on X, translating to “Reece James’s colossal game in midfield.” The fan added, “He frees up Moises Caicedo defensively and creates superiority as a pivot. Unbeatable. One of Chelsea’s best, a great move by Maresca,” echoing the sentiment that James’s presence enhances the team’s structure.
Defensively, James’s numbers were less dominant—he won three of eight ground duels and none aerially—but analysts argue this reflects adjustment rather than inadequacy. Football analyst Josh Williams of football.london has long championed James’s midfield potential, noting in 2021, “Reece James has a history of operating in central midfield… I think he’s technically good enough to do that.” Williams highlighted how James’s ability to “mix his game up with underlaps and overlaps” makes him unpredictable, a quality that shone against Villa as he completed his sole dribble attempt and notched two clearances and an interception.
The Coaches’ Voice further supports this shift, praising James’s midfield stint at Wigan: “He looked perfectly comfortable and often shone,” showcasing technical prowess and ball-carrying ability that translate seamlessly to the Premier League’s center. His 100% dribbling success and minimal errors (one leading to a shot) against Villa underscore this adaptability, despite a Sofascore rating of 6.8—lower than Fernandez and Caicedo but respectable for a role debut.
Fan skepticism exists—@AllChelseaBlog tweeted, “James is good, but not in midfield… His defensive awareness is so so poor”—but others see potential. “Reece James started well but had given the ball away twice in the last few minutes, needs to stay calm,” posted another supporter, suggesting refinement rather than rejection of the role. Maresca’s flexibility, avoiding left-back but embracing midfield for James, hints at a long-term vision, especially with Malo Gusto thriving at right-back.
James’s injury history—often sidelining him for extended periods—makes midfield a strategic fit, reducing the physical toll of marauding runs. As The Analyst noted in 2021, his “superb crossing ability” and “class to play in central midfield” make him a unique asset. With Southampton and Copenhagen next, keeping James in midfield could unlock Chelsea’s potential, blending defensive solidity with creative flair.