Both James and Gusto are best known as right-backs but have shown their ability to play elsewhere, including on the left side of defence at points last season.

In an attempt to bolster his midfield for big games such as the Club World Cup final or the recent meetings with Arsenal and Barcelona, Maresca has deployed James in the middle of the park alongside Moises Caicedo and the more advanced Enzo Fernandez.

Gusto meanwhile has shown his ability in a midfield role when inverting from full-back, not least on Saturday when he scored one and set up another in the 2-0 win over Everton.

‘Malo and Reece can play in both positions, full-back and midfield, and now it depends where we need them [as to where] we're going to use them,’ said Maresca.

‘The last game against Everton we played with both Malo and Reece as a holding midfielder. They are both full-backs, but they can also play as holding midfielders.

‘We are happy for Malo because he never scored before in his career. Now he's scored two already. Something similar happened with Cucu last year. He scored six, seven goals. So we are happy to help players to improve.’