Malo Gusto will start the season at right-back as Reece James is serving a three-match ban in the Premier League following a red card he received in the penultimate game of last season.

But James and Gusto have to coexist and both have struggled at times to adapt to the demands placed on Maresca’s full-back position.

In Maresca’s system, one full-back is typically inverted and moves into central midfield, while the other sits back to defend as a third centre-back, turning a back four into a back three.

James should be able to play both roles but is struggling as he also builds up his fitness after an injury-hit season.

Gusto also struggled and played three times at left-back. Levi Colwill was also tried out in that role as Marc Cucurella recovers from Euro 2024.

Maresca has admitted that some of his unusual team line-ups are down to “experimentation” in pre-season, but left-back Ben Chilwell has played just 64 minutes and was a substitute in two games, raising fresh questions about whether he could be sold.

The signing of new goalkeeper Jorgensen from Villarreal is also interesting, as the Blues wanted a specialist in playing from the back to compete with Robert Sanchez. However, this will likely force Djordje Petrovic out of the club, at least on loan in the short term.

The atmosphere within the team seemed largely positive under Maresca, but the signings are happening so quickly that representatives of several players admit they feel insecure due to the uncertainty about their future.