Pep Guardiola wanted to sign Reece James for Manchester City, he loves him for the same reason as Enzo Maresca

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Chelsea will be really glad to have their captain Reece James fit and available again.

Over the past few years, James has picked up so many injuries and missed a lot of football as a result. However, the defender is back in action and really thriving.

He scored a brilliant free-kick for England earlier this week, which comes after a very nice goal against Copenhagen in the Conference League.

At one stage, though, it looked like Chelsea could have actually lost James to their Premier League rivals Manchester City.

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Manchester City were keen on Reece James

James was part of Chelsea’s Champions League-winning team in 2021, helping the Blues to beat City 1-0 in the final.

His performance that night did not go unnoticed, with the right-back catching Pep Guardiola’s attention.

According to The Athletic, City wanted to sign James in the 2021 summer transfer window despite already having Kyle Walker and Joao Cancelo on their books.

The outlet claimed that Guardiola was impressed with James’ displays against his side in the Champions League and in Chelsea’s 2-1 win at the Etihad that season.

As well as that, it was said that James’ ability to play in midfield was another reason why he had caught Guardiola’s attention.

There has been a lot of talk about James’ best position of late. Arsenal legend Martin Keown likes James in the midfield role and so does the player’s manager Enzo Maresca.

Enzo Maresca suggests Reece James’ future could be in midfield

The biggest advocate for James to play in midfield right now appears to be Maresca.

The Chelsea boss started him there against Copenhagen in the Conference League earlier this month and went as far as to say that James is a midfielder.

When Maresca talked about James after the game, he said: “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.”

As a defender, it is a compliment that both Maresca and Guardiola think he is capable of playing in midfield. But James offers so much on the right flank and should be starting there going forward.