Chelsea's Midfield Depth Tested as Fernandez and Lavia Sidelined with Injuries
Chelsea's midfield faces a challenging period as injuries to Enzo Fernandez and Romeo Lavia force head coach Enzo Maresca to explore alternative solutions, including recalling loanees or signing reinforcements.
Original Source
The Athletic
Written by
Craig 'Tosh' McKinnon
Injuries to Enzo Fernandez and Romeo Lavia have left Chelsea's midfield stretched thin, with Fernandez expected to miss a couple of weeks and Lavia sidelined for an extended period. Head coach Enzo Maresca faces limited options, relying heavily on Moises Caicedo and makeshift midfield solutions. While Chelsea considers recalling loanees Andrey Santos or Lesley Ugochukwu, or even signing a short-term replacement, the club's midfield depth remains under scrutiny ahead of crucial fixtures.
- Injury Updates:
- Enzo Fernandez: Expected to return in a couple of weeks, missing crucial fixtures like the match against Manchester City.
- Romeo Lavia: Faces a much longer absence due to recurring injury issues, limiting his availability since joining Chelsea.
- Impact on Midfield Options:
- Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall made his first league start but has not gained Maresca's full trust.
- Cesare Casadei, Renato Veiga, and Carney Chukwuemeka are all likely to leave on loan or permanent transfers, further thinning the squad.
- 19-year-old Sam Rak-Sakyi is an option but lacks Premier League experience.
- Potential Loanee Recalls:
- Andrey Santos (Strasbourg): Impressing in Ligue 1, Chelsea prefers he remains on loan to continue his development.
- Lesley Ugochukwu (Southampton): Seeing increased game time under new management, making a recall unlikely.
- Transfer Market Plans:
- Chelsea remains open to signing a short-term replacement or loaning a midfielder before the window closes.
- A long-term midfield addition is being considered for the summer of 2025, along with reinforcements in attack.
- Dependence on Moises Caicedo:
- Caicedo has been one of Chelsea’s most consistent performers this season. His fitness is now critical to maintaining stability in midfield.
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Written by
Craig 'Tosh' McKinnon
Co-founder of The1905Club. A life long Chelsea fan and season ticket holder for over twenty years. Now residing in Poland, this doesn't stop Tosh from watching every minute of every game.
