Injuries have significantly hampered Chelsea’s progress under Enzo Maresca, with several key players sidelined for periods this season. Nicolas Jackson’s thigh injury kept him out for a month, limiting attacking options. Wesley Fofana, a centre-back, has also been absent since December.
Fofana, who played in 12 Premier League games before his injury, recently returned to the bench after recovering. His return mirrors Davide Zappacosta’s resurgence after his own comeback, who has impressed and regained his place in the team’s plans.
Reece James’ Performance for Chelsea in 2024/25
Reece James, a right-back, has struggled with injuries in recent years, disrupting his development at Chelsea. He’s only played 23 games in the last two seasons, highlighting the impact of these setbacks on his playing time.
However, 12 of those appearances were in the 2024/25 season, with a standout performance in the Europa Conference League. In that game, James scored from a central midfield position, a role Enzo Maresca has considered for him despite his usual right-back position.
Despite James’s good performance against Copenhagen, statistically, he has been outperformed by a former Chelsea player.
Davide Zappacosta’s Excellent Form Since Leaving Chelsea
Since Todd Boehly’s takeover in 2022, Chelsea has seen a large turnover of players. While many departures were justified, some players have excelled after leaving, causing Chelsea to potentially regret their decisions.
Davide Zappacosta, a right-back, spent four years at Chelsea, playing 52 games. After loans in Italy, he permanently rejoined Atalanta for around £8 million, a significant loss for Chelsea compared to their initial investment.
Although Zappacosta’s time at Chelsea was inconsistent, he has rediscovered his form in Serie A, with one commentator calling him “sensational.” His statistics this season surpass those of Reece James.
| How Zappacosta compares to James in 2024/25 so far | ||
|---|---|---|
| Statistics (per 90) | Zappacosta | James |
| Games played | 20 | 10 |
| Goals & assists | 5 | 1 |
| Progressive carries | 2.9 | 0.8 |
| Carries into final third | 1.6 | 0.6 |
| Shots taken | 1.7 | 0.8 |
| % of tackles won | 45% | 33% |
| Crosses completed | 4.6 | 4.6 |
Zappacosta has more combined goals and assists, more progressive carries, and a higher percentage of successful tackles this season compared to James. His strong performance suggests Chelsea might have made a mistake in letting him leave.
However, Atalanta benefits from Chelsea’s decision, with Zappacosta being a key player in their league title aspirations.
Vihaan Mehrotra