Reece James had a message for his manager before inspiring Chelsea’s Conference League comeback.
The Blues captain replaced Malo Gusto at half-time against Real Betis in Wroclaw on Wednesday night.
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Enzo Maresca’s side were a goal down at the break, with Gusto having gave the ball away in the build-up.
However, following James’ introduction before the start of the second half, Chelsea completed a dominant turnaround.
Goals from Enzo Fernandez, Nicolas Jackson, Jadon Sancho and Moises Caicedo sealed a 4-1 victory in Poland.
After the final whistle, Maresca revealed what James had told him before coming on for Gusto.
The Italian explained: “I promise you, I would start always with Reece.
“But I’m trying to protect him. He played more games this season than the last two, three years.
“He’s happy, he knows that. He’s a top player for us. It’s like Cole [Palmer], the problem is we need to manage him.
“When we changed him, he said to me, ‘Boss don’t worry, we’re going to win the game’.”
James’ appearance in the final was his 27th of the season despite a pair of hamstring injuries this term.
He has featured more times this season than in the previous two campaigns after a number of fitness setbacks.
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The academy graduate has now won four trophies with Chelsea after previously lifting the Champions League, Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup.
However, the 25-year-old was disappointed not to start, admitting: “Of course it is devastating to know you are not starting in a final.
“I want to play every game but it was the manager’s decision. Once he made the decision, I had to move on and accept it and be ready when I was needed.”
Meanwhile, Maresca backed Gusto despite his mistake in the lead up to Betis’ goal, which was followed by his withdrawal at half-time.
The Blues boss added: “Malo is one of my favourite players. The problem is the first goal we conceded, it was from his pass. He missed the pass.
“They are young. They don’t understand that if you [make a] mistake, it doesn’t matter. You have to continue.
“When we lost the ball and conceded, he was out of the game. But he knows, for me Malo is a top player.”
Chelsea’s Conference League victory is their ninth European trophy and sees them make history in the process.
They are the first club to win all three major continental competitions.
The Blues have also won both the UEFA Super Cup and European Cup Winners’ Cup during their 120-year history.
