Reece James speaks out being given new position by Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca

Reece James conceded he still ‘has a lot to learn’ after being given a new role by Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca iin last night’s 2-2 draw against Wrexham.

The Blues stepped up their preparations ahead of the new Premier League campaign with a friendly against the League One side in California.

James has endured a nightmare run of luck with injuries that reduced him to a bit-part role last season but he is hopeful of making a significant impact under his new manager having returned to full fitness.

The 24-year-old skippered his side and played the first 45 minutes, albeit in a noticeably different role.

Noted for his rampaging runs down the touchline and pinpoint crossing, James may well be playing next season in more central areas on the evidence of last night having been asked to invert by Maresca.

Asked about the demands of the new position, James said: ‘The early days have been very enjoyable. It’s a lot different to what I’m used to but I think with how I play it suits me quite well.

‘I’ve still got a lot to learn for what he wants in the role but I’m excited and I can’t wait.’

On hoping to put his fitness woes behind him, James added: ‘It’s great to be back out there. I’ve been sidelined for so long in the last two years and to be back out there with my team is an amazing feeling.

‘It’s always a dream come true [to be captain], it’s a great feeling to step out and represent the club and to have the armband on it’s a special moment and something I dreamt of since I was a young boy.

‘I think [we need to] build game on game, take one step at a time and take each training session as it comes and take pre-season and hopefully come the start of the season we’re in a very good place.’

Maresca enjoyed success during his Leicester tenure with the sort of system and tactics he attempted to implement against Wrexham.

‘In this moment, we tried to build with three and two.’ he said after the game. ‘First-half with James inside and second-half with Malo inside.

‘It does not matter about the level of the opposition; when they sit back with 11 players behind the ball, it’s always difficult to find space and solutions are not easy.

‘We tried first-half and second-half. For sure, we did many things we can improve but we started just two weeks ago. Tonight was important to start seeing the identity of the team and the identity is there tonight.’