Chelsea's Midfield Depth Issues Highlight the Need for a "Josh Acheampong" Equivalent

Chelsea’s reliance on injury-prone Romeo Lavia and overworked midfielders raises questions about the lack of a youth prospect ready to step up, akin to Josh Acheampong’s emergence in defence.

Original Source
Chelsea News
Written by
Steve Worrell
5 Jan
15:20
Opinion

The1905.Club Summary

With Romeo Lavia enduring an extended spell of injuries and Chelsea's midfield stretched thin, the absence of a trusted young midfielder is becoming a significant concern. While Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo carry the workload, the squad lacks depth, with loaned-out players like Lesley Ugochukwu and Andrey Santos unavailable to fill the void. Unlike Josh Acheampong, who has emerged as a promising defensive talent, Chelsea has yet to find a comparable midfielder capable of stepping into a Premier League role. Enzo Maresca might have to reconsider giving opportunities to fringe players or those excelling in lower-stakes competitions like the FA Cup to address the imbalance.

Key Points

  • Romeo Lavia’s Fitness Issues: Despite high hopes, Lavia’s persistent injuries over 18 months leave Chelsea’s midfield shorthanded.
  • Overworked Midfield Stars: Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo are playing relentlessly without adequate rotation options.
  • Loan Decisions Backfire: Loaning Lesley Ugochukwu and Andrey Santos has left Chelsea without viable backups.
  • Lack of Youth Talent: Unlike Josh Acheampong’s rise in defence, no young midfielder has emerged as Premier League-ready.
  • FA Cup as an Opportunity: Players like Sam Rak-Sakyi could use the Morecambe FA Cup match to stake their claim for more league minutes.

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Photo Credit
Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC
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Written by 
Steve Worrell
Steve, Co-founder of The 1905 Club, created the platform to provide honest, clickbait-free Chelsea FC content. He worked at Stamford Bridge from 2013 to 2016 with a Champions League sponsor. His first Chelsea match was a 1-0 win at Leeds in 2000, and his favourite was the epic 2012 Champions League game against Napoli.
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