Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has suggested that switching Reece James to a central-midfield position had been long in the making ahead of the 2-1 victory over Copenhagen in the first leg of their Conference League last-16 tie.
The Blues went into Thursday's fixture having won just four of the 13 matches that they have played since their last contest in this competition, none of which have come away from home.
However, goals from Reece James and Enzo Fernandez in the second half at the Parken Stadium helped secure Chelsea an advantage ahead of next week's reverse fixture.
Gabriel Pereira's header 11 minutes from time ensured that the Danish outfit halved the deficit, a goal that may ultimately prove important.
Nevertheless, with Chelsea starting with what was essentially an experimental XI with Trevoh Chalobah at right-back, Reece James in central midfield, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall on the left flank and 17-year-old prospect Shumaira Mbeuka in attack, the Premier League outfit will be satisfied with their night's work.
Enzo Fernández doubles Chelsea's lead 💪
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A mix up at the back from Copenhagen's defence and Chelsea make them pay 💥
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What did Maresca have to say?
Although James has central-midfield experience from a loan spell with Wigan Athletic at the start of his career, he has largely bene used as a right-back during his senior career at Stamford Bridge.
That said, speaking to reporters at a press conference after Thursday's game, Maresca indicated that he has always viewed the club captain and England international as a potential solution in the engine room.
Maresca said, as quoted by football.london: "We know how important he is for us. He's our captain, a fantastic player. We need him fit, so that is our duty, our target because for sure he is going to help us. He can play in many positions because the good players can play in many positions.
"You can ask Reece, when I signed for Chelsea, the day after 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. He has played in full-back, central defender, so the main target for us is to keep him fit.
He added: "When you watch a player you sometimes need to use imagination and imagining a player doing something. I watched some of his games when he was on loan at Wigan where he scored a fantastic goal from 25 or 30 metres.
"The best thing about Reece at the moment is he is helping the team with leadership."
Although injury issues have restricted James to nine starts and three substitute outings in all competitions this season, he has completed 90 minutes against each of Aston Villa and Copenhagen since February 22.
What next for Chelsea?
Chelsea will quickly turn their focus to Premier League action with a home fixture taking place against Leicester City on Sunday afternoon.
Maresca will revert to what he deems to be his strongest possible team for that contest before the reverse fixture against Copenhagen takes place in West London on March 13.
The final match before the March international break is a short trip across the capital to face Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on March 16.
Darren Plant
