Missing this player has ruined Maresca’s tactical solution which looked so effective | OneFootball

Chelsea are missing a lot right now – strikers and wingers are dropping like flies.

But it’s been the absence of depth in midfield which has really hurt us. This was supposed to be a fresh start for Romeo Lavia, but he’s missed so many games, now, and it’s really hurt the team.

Last week, former Norwich and West Ham striker Dean Ashton was on Sky, and made a very similar point:

“Obviously, [missing] Lavia makes a big difference. When he’s in that midfield, he gives a lot more freedom for a Palmer, for an Enzo Fernandez, for the forward players, the way he plays in midfield with [Moises] Caicedo. I think he is actually a key player. When he’s played, I’ve been very impressed with the setup of Chelsea’s midfield.”

Chelsea miss the balance brought by three midfielders

Romeo Lavia arriving at Stamford Bridge for Chelsea match. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Perhaps our best period of the season came when Lavia and Enzo were in the team, with Caicedo at right back.

That’s somewhat confusing, given Caicedo is our best midfielder (and probably our player of the season overall), but it makes sense when you see the way the team sets up. Caicedo would actually spend a lot of time inverting into the middle of the pitch anyway, so if the ball was lost in transition he would be right there to win it back as though he was playing in midfield anyway.

But replacing a right back with him meant there was room for both Lavia and Enzo alongside him on the teamsheet – the former to control the tempo and add some legs in midfield, with the latter able to push further forward knowing he had two players behind him rather than one.

We hope Lavia is back soon and can play for us for years with no problems – but we’re getting more and more worried that will never be the case after a second season has been almost wiped out.