Chelsea are all of a sudden in a bit of trouble when it comes to the midfield positions ahead of a hectic run of fixtures in all competitions.
Moises Caicedo was sent off against Arsenal, seeing him suspended for the upcoming three Premier League games.
The big moment of the first half…
Was this a red card?
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The Ecuador international has been a near ever-present for Enzo Maresca this season, and the manager is unable to turn to the most natural replacement for him either in the coming weeks.
Dario Essugo has suffered a setback in his recovery after he had returned to training in recent weeks, and with Romeo Lavia injured there are all of a sudden less options available than ever before in the middle of the park.
The Chelsea Chronicle have uncovered three diamonds in the Blues’ academy at Cobham who could be looked to in the coming games to provide cover for Enzo Fernandez and Andrey Santos.
Moises Caicedo celebrates scoring for Chelsea against Liverpool in the Premier League.
Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images
Three Chelsea academy stars who could cover for Moises Caicedo and Dario Essugo
Reggie Walsh
Arguably the shining star currently in the Chelsea academy, Reggie Walsh has clearly already made an impression on Maresca and his first team staff.
Walsh became Chelsea’s youngest ever Champions League appearance maker when he came off the bench against Ajax, and has minutes under his belt in the Conference League and League Cup too.
The young midfielder is now back with the Blues after representing England’s U17s at the World Cup, and is ready to be called upon should Maresca need more strength in depth in midfield.
Landon Emenalo
Despite being just 17 years of age, Landon Emenalo is another player who has been close to making his first team debut already for Chelsea.
He has plenty of admirers due to his work with the academy. John Terry is tipping Emenalo for big things in his career.
The son of former technical director Michael Emenalo, the youngster is another who was chosen to represent the Young Lions at the recent U17 World Cup.
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Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images
Sam Rak-Sakyi
Sam Rak-Sakyi already has first team experience under his belt, making sporadic appearances during the Conference League last season.
Primarily a defensive midfielder, he could be one of the best-suited replacements for Caicedo and Essugo.
Frank Lampard’s Coventry City have been linked with signing Rak-Sakyi in recent windows, however he remains with the Young Blues and ready for his opportunity.