Enzo Maresca has allayed fears of an injury to Reece James as he confirmed it was always the plan to bring the Chelsea captain off at half-time against Burnley.

The England defender was replaced at the interval in Chelsea’s 2-0 win at Turf Moor on Saturday , with some Blues fans fearing the worst.

But Maresca explained that he and his coaching staff had agreed before the game to give James a rest after 45 minutes .

The Blues wish to manage the defender’s minutes after his heavy involvement over the recent international break in England’s wins against Serbia and Albania and with huge matches against Barcelona on Tuesday and Arsenal next Sunday.

“The idea was especially to manage Reece,” Maresca said. “This is the reason why he played 45 minutes [only]. It was planned.

“We plan

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