Photo by Pedro Porru/MB Media/Getty Images
Photo by Pedro Porru/MB Media/Getty Images
During his three-and-a-half year spell at Chelsea, Enzo Fernandez played next to Moises Caicedo and sometimes just ahead of the Ecuadorian.
Following Fernandez’s move to Manchester City, it means Caicedo now needs a new midfield partner. That partner should have been Lamine Camara.
Camara was Chelsea-bound until AS Monaco pulled the plug on the deal at the very last minute. It left Chelsea fuming and has destroyed their relationship with the French club.
With Fernandez gone and Camara remaining at Monaco, Xabi Alonso will have to choose one of Romeo Lavia, Reece James, Valentin Barco or Jordan Henderson to partner Caicedo in the engine room.
Romeo Lavia, Reece James, Valentin Barco and Jordan Henderson
Romeo Lavia, Reece James, Valentin Barco and Jordan Henderson
Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia should be Chelsea’s double pivot
Right now, Alonso should start Lavia alongside Caicedo. The 22-year-old is fit and played well in Chelsea’s first two Premier League games against Fulham and Brighton & Hove Albion, even managing to score against the latter.
It was his first goal for Chelsea since joining the club from Southampton in 2023, and while he is unlikely to score many more this season, the Belgian can still bring a lot to the Blues’ midfield.
There may not be a more press-resistant midfielder in the Premier League than Lavia, who is excellent at receiving the ball near the edge of his own box before swivelling out of the opposition’s press and starting a counter-attack.
When Lavia is fit and at the top of his game, no one can get anywhere near him. He protects and shields the ball so well and does not hang on to it for too long.
Romeo Lavia of Chelsea celebrates
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Many Chelsea fans will prefer to see Reece James in midfield, which is understandable. Although he is a right-back, when the England international starts in the middle of the park, he rarely disappoints there.
James has all the necessary attributes to play in midfield. He is strong, can tackle, has vision and can pass the ball.
However, James has never played a full season in midfield at this level before. As a stopgap, playing the 26-year-old there has worked, but with Lavia a good natural option and currently fit, it is just logical to place him next to Caicedo.
That would give Alonso a decision to make regarding James. It remains to be seen whether the Chelsea captain can consistently play in a physically demanding position like wing-back with his fitness record.
READ MORE:Why Chelsea couldn’t revive Lamine Camara deal even after Folarin Balogun U-turn
In the right centre-back position in Alonso’s back three, Wesley Fofana and Josh Acheampong have both performed well. That would be the other defensive position to consider using James in.
At the end of the day, though, James is still one of Chelsea’s best players and is too good to leave on the bench. Alonso still absolutely has to find a way to fit him into the team if he does go with a Lavia and Caicedo pivot.