Form is temporary, class is permanent. The most games he has played in over 3 years. I liked what Maresca said when asked about Joe Cole why he didn't start, with Maresca saying he would start Reece every game if he could, but he has to protect him. Thrilled for James - its been a long journey, and he more than deserves moments like these.

Edited May 29, 20251 yr by PhilH930

"Don't worry boss we're going to win this game ... "

A bit worried about his role going forward. We've seen some experimentation during the CWC but ultimately - our best midfield has Caicedo and Lavia. Enzo and Palmer are must-picks because of their goals and chance creation. That means Palmer back on the right, who needs a marauding fullback, which is also how you get the best out of Gusto. An inverted James breaks a number of these positions and is not ideal for his skillset. So it may come down to whether his body can handle a more traditional role once again.

1 hour ago, venom2011 said:

A bit worried about his role going forward. We've seen some experimentation during the CWC but ultimately - our best midfield has Caicedo and Lavia. Enzo and Palmer are must-picks because of their goals and chance creation. That means Palmer back on the right, who needs a marauding fullback, which is also how you get the best out of Gusto. An inverted James breaks a number of these positions and is not ideal for his skillset. So it may come down to whether his body can handle a more traditional role once again.

You are right to be worried.

5 hours ago, venom2011 said:

A bit worried about his role going forward. We've seen some experimentation during the CWC but ultimately - our best midfield has Caicedo and Lavia. Enzo and Palmer are must-picks because of their goals and chance creation. That means Palmer back on the right, who needs a marauding fullback, which is also how you get the best out of Gusto. An inverted James breaks a number of these positions and is not ideal for his skillset. So it may come down to whether his body can handle a more traditional role once again.

Don't think his body can handle the full back role, either.

For me, his best position in Maresca's formation is as the third center back.

Right center back in possession and right back when defending.

Cucurella inverting in midfield and sneaking into the opposition box feels more natural and is way more effective.

3 hours ago, petre ispirescu said:

Don't think his body can handle the full back role, either.

For me, his best position in Maresca's formation is as the third center back.

Right center back in possession and right back when defending.

Cucurella inverting in midfield and sneaking into the opposition box feels more natural and is way more effective.

Agreed. But that again affects the team balance negatively. The RW will need to be a touchline winger. You'll have to drop Lavia. Overall, an inferior setup. It was fine last season because Lavia was injured and Santos wasn't at the club. I guess we may see this in rotation if Lavia only plays 1 game a week.

4 hours ago, petre ispirescu said:

Don't think his body can handle the full back role, either.

Disagree, I think he can handle RB comfortably, but his game time may need to be managed. He possibly can't play 50+ games but then he doesn't need go.

The problem is his backup can't player Maresca ridiculous inverted nonsense, and he refuses to change to suit the squad.

8 hours ago, petre ispirescu said:

Don't think his body can handle the full back role, either.

For me, his best position in Maresca's formation is as the third center back.

Right center back in possession and right back when defending.

Cucurella inverting in midfield and sneaking into the opposition box feels more natural and is way more effective.

Most athletes can't handle the strain of a modern fullback anyway.

He'll be fine, he just can't play every game. If the coach can work out a plan with the manager to optimally utilize his minutes, he'll be good until his late 20's

Real madrid signed the wrong right back this summer... Long live the king. True blue

13 hours ago, dkw said:

Disagree, I think he can handle RB comfortably, but his game time may need to be managed. He possibly can't play 50+ games but then he doesn't need go.

The problem is his backup can't player Maresca ridiculous inverted nonsense, and he refuses to change to suit the squad.

It's not whether he can play at RB, it's whether he can play like he did before. Up and down, supporting the RW on the outside and putting in those beautiful crosses. That's up for debate, and judging how he's being used now, it seems the staff are not too confident.

So it seems Maresca did something to accomodate Reece that I never thought was even an option - Palmer on the left...

The captain seems to have his thoughts about how Maresca is wasting using him.

Just don't be a hamstring injury. I'm going to be pissed if after everything, we go into next season with the exact same issues. All 3 of James, Fofana and Lavia injured.

9 hours ago, Scott Harris said:

Just don't be a hamstring injury. I'm going to be pissed if after everything, we go into next season with the exact same issues. All 3 of James, Fofana and Lavia injured.

Had the same conversation with my other half last night. We can't repeat that season after season. I do think we have better options to pick up the slack, and in some cases even start, within the squad now (Santos for sure, Tosin seems very settled, emergence of Josh, and Essugo will get his chance).

Its also what frustrates me with Enzo - he gets so much stick, despite a very good season. The minutes he plays is massive for us - ever present and dependable, a great quality.

3 minutes ago, PhilH930 said:

Had the same conversation with my other half last night. We can't repeat that season after season. I do think we have better options to pick up the slack, and in some cases even start, within the squad now (Santos for sure, Tosin seems very settled, emergence of Josh, and Essugo will get his chance).

Its also what frustrates me with Enzo - he gets so much stick, despite a very good season. The minutes he plays is massive for us - ever present and dependable, a great quality.

KDH is always available too, and he'd probably get more goals and assists than Enzo if he had Enzo's minutes

Parking my opinion of Enzo LOL, availability surely has to be a pre-requisite for a professional sportsman ? I'd imagine we regret signing Lavia and Fofana, and giving Reece such a huge pay increase. It will be interesting to see how we handle all three of our sicknotes moving forwards ... patience must surely be wearing thin ?

One of our own

Not as vocal at JT, but carry on like this, and he will be remembered just as fondly.

Our most accomplished youth product from the best generation of the Academy.

Somewhere Roman is shedding a tear hearing this news

What a legend. Been through adversity over the last few years and has comeback stronger.

He's Chelsea through and through. Love him.

Making a mockery of those who said we should get rid of him, he will never play match minutes anymore etc.

Nurse him through a season, pick him when needed as he will still be one of our best players every game he plays, we have cover for him now.

I've criticized him being the captain in the past. No criticisms over that anymore. Certainly proved me wrong. The squad age structure is about as perfect as it can be for him to be the captain as well. Long may it continue.

Expectational performance in a different role than I expected.

He played more as a lone DM with Caicedo pressing higher up, dropping back into defence at times as well to make like a back 5 when PSG had the ball. This seems to have freed up Gusto and Cucu to play more as traditional overlapping full backs.

Leader on the pitch, and he had a great smile on his face just before he walked up ro receive his medal and pur new trinket.

On 14/10/2024 at 09:46, Ukraine Bolt said:

Can't believe i'm reading people being okay with him leaving. Reece leaving at 24 years of age would be a travesty. 

The only player we have, other than Cole Palmer, that is genuinely world class. Top 2 in his position in the world. Even if it took another 6 months to rehab him properly we should be doing it without a second thought. 

24 minutes ago, Ukraine Bolt said: