Chelsea legend slams Maresca for 'CONFUSING' tactic

Cameron Smith

Updated: 20 Mar 2025 11:03 GMT
3 min read

Chelsea legend John Terry has criticised Enzo Maresca for his “confusing” use of full-backs since his arrival at Stamford Bridge.

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The Blues head coach has deployed the likes of Marc Cucurella, Malo Gusto and Reece James in a midfield role when Chelsea have possession, yet this tactic has received mixed reviews so far this season.

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Maresca has admitted that he doesn’t like full-backs who provide width in attack and he instead prefers them to invert into midfield to provide a better balance in possession.

Furthermore, he has also revealed that he views the aforementioned James as an out-and-out central midfielder, despite his excellent history at right-back.

New England boss Thomas Tuchel has insisted that he still views James as a full-back and Terry agrees with the ex-Chelsea manager.

What has been said?

“I agree with that [Tuchel's opinion on James]. I see him as a defender,” Terry told BBC Sport when asked about the Chelsea captain.

“I don't like it, to be honest, people drifting in [to midfield] I think it is more confusing.

“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.”

James was deployed in central midfield during a loan spell at Wigan Athletic before his breakthrough into the Chelsea first-team, but he has almost exclusively played at right-back, or right wing-back, at Stamford Bridge.

However, the England international has played in midfield in each of his last three starts for Chelsea, with Maresca viewing him as an ideal player to feature in the middle of the park.