“I would like” – Enzo Maresca reveals why Reece James didn’t start against West Ham

Enzo Maresca has revealed the reason why Reece James didn’t start in Chelsea’s win against West Ham on Friday night.

The Blues ran out 5-1 winners at the London Stadium, despite losing Cole Palmer in the warm-up and going a goal down early on.

Maresca’s men responded brilliantly thanks to goals from Joao Pedro, Pedro Neto, Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo, and Trevoh Chalobah.

Enzo Maresca reveals why Reece James didn’t start vs West Ham

Maresca made three changes to the team which drew against Crystal Palace with Malo Gusto, Liam Delap and Tosin Adarabioyo all coming into the side.

James surprisingly dropped to the bench having started the first game, but the skipper came on in the second half.

James has stayed fit since he returned from injury in January. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)

Maresca has managed James carefully since he returned from injury in January, and the 25-year-old has stayed fit since then.

This is the longest period James has stayed fit for over the past few years, and both he and Maresca deserve credit for that.

It’s a long season and the Blues will need James available for as much of it as possible, and Maresca revealed why the England international didn’t start.

“Reece is one of our best players, I would like to start every game with him but we have more players,” he told BBC Sport as quoted on X.com.

“We have two good full-backs and will use both.”

Wesley Fofana returns to action

Another positive was the return of Wesley Fofana, who came on as a substitute in the second half, and he will be even more important with the absence of Levi Colwill.

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Like James, Fofana has been plagued by injury issues, but everyone will be hoping he can stay fit this season, and Maresca may look to repeat what he did with James to give the best chance of that happening.

Fofana is arguably Chelsea’s best defender when he’s at his best, but he’s made less than 50 appearances for the club in three seasons, and more than anything he needs to be available for the majority of this season.