Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed he does not ask James Rodriguez to do much defending for Everton and insists that is the job of others in the team.
The Colombian starts games on the right of a front three for the Blues but is given the freedom to pick the ball up in a variety of positions.
And Ancelotti has confirmed that when Everton are not in possession, Rodriguez only has limited responsibilities and the role of winning the ball back is, largely, down to his midfield and defensive team-mates.
The Blues boss accepts that sides have started to target them down their right hand side but he disagrees with the idea it's because Rodriguez is free from having to perform many defensive duties.
“He doesn't have a lot of responsibility defensively," Ancelotti said. "I don't want to give him a lot of responsibility.
"Of course, he has to work, as the striker has to work. I don't give a lot of responsibility to Dominic [Calvert-Lewin], I don't give a lot of responsibility defensively to Richarlison."
He added: “I think there are other players who have to be more focused defensively.”
Manchester United scored twice from attacks down the right hand in Everton's 3-1 defeat before the international break while goals conceded at Southampton and Newcastle of late, have also originated on the flank.
“We had problems on our right side, this is true," Ancelotti said.
"We had problems in the last few games on the right hand side but, as I said before, if it is also James' problem to defend from that side you have a midfielder, you have a defender and so you can slide more with the defence.
"Never has it been an individual problem where you don't defend well.
"When you don't defend well it means the block or the team is not defending well.”
