Enzo Maresca’s big decision causes debate – formation change or full back out of position | OneFootball

For today’s game against Aston Villa, Chelsea have made just one change to the side that lost 3-0 to Brighton a week ago.

Reece James comes in, and Noni Madueke – who was injured in that game – drops out.

Now our first reaction upon seeing the team sheet was that it was a change to a back 3. James slots in alongside Trevoh Chalobah and Levi Colwill there in an all home-grown defensive trio, then Malo Gusto and Marc Cucurella are pushed further forwards as wing backs.

That makes the most sense, given James is comfortable as a wide central defender, and given we could get a lot more out of the full backs if they had license to get forward and support more. Christopher Nkunku is our only striker but has looked so isolated – this shape could allow Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernandez to get closer to him.

Alternative setup could see Frenchman out of position

Malo Gusto in action against Brighton.(Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)

But there is another alternative which some have suggested. It could also be that Enzo Maresca keeps the same shape, but simply plays James in Gusto’s normal position as a right winger, with Pedro Neto playing on the left.

This makes more sense in some ways. Firstly staying in our usual shape avoids any confusion in mixing things up. It also suits Neto a bit more – he’s more useful running round the outside than trying to come narrow as a sort of inside forward, with Cole Palmer doing the same on the other side.

Gusto has been really poor this season, and we’ve regularly given him the excuse that it’s because he’s been told to invert rather than bombing forward. It will be really interesting to see how he gets on as an orthodox right winger with few defensive responsibilities if that is indeed how he’s used.