There have been persistent questions about the partnership of Moisés Caicedo and Enzo Fernández—two high-profile midfield signings for Chelsea—and how to maximize their impact.
Last season, both players often played alongside Conor Gallagher, whose energetic and disciplined style helped bring the best out of them. However, with Gallagher now moving to Atlético Madrid, the focus shifts to finding the ideal player to complement them.
That player could very well be Roméo Lavia. Although the Belgian midfielder has struggled with fitness issues for most of the season, his importance to Chelsea’s midfield cannot be understated. So, let’s go back to basics and analyze the composition of Chelsea’s midfield.
This analysis will explore key questions:
- Can a midfield three of Lavia, Caicedo, and Enzo function effectively?
- Can a pivot of any two of these three players work ideally?
- If not, why?
- Do Chelsea already have internal solutions to any midfield deficiencies?
Let’s break it down.
How Does Lavia Compliment Caicedo and Enzo?
Player Profiles
Moisés Caicedo
Caicedo is a ball-winning box-to-box midfielder who can also play as a defensive No. 6. He thrives in breaking up play, pressing aggressively, and making progressive passes. His ability to cover ground and make defensive interventions makes him an essential presence in midfield.
While his defensive work is well-documented, Caicedo is also underrated as a passer. He is excellent in build-up play, moving the ball through the second phase of play, and even acting as an off-ball playmaker. His ability to receive under pressure and switch play efficiently adds a dynamic quality to Chelsea’s midfield.
Enzo Fernández
Enzo is a technically gifted midfielder who thrives in a deep-lying playmaker role. He excels in build-up play, ball retention, and controlling the tempo in the second phase of possession. His passing range allows him to progress the ball quickly and create chances from deeper positions.
Enzo is a high-IQ player with strong counter-pressing ability, making him an asset in winning back possession quickly. His progressive passing and final-third creation make him a key link between midfield and attack. However, he isn’t naturally a ball-winner, and when paired with another progressive midfielder, defensive vulnerabilities can emerge.
Roméo Lavia
Lavia is a well-rounded defensive midfielder who offers strong positional discipline, press resistance, and a calm presence in possession. Unlike Caicedo, who is more dynamic in his defensive actions, Lavia is more methodical—positioning himself well to cut passing lanes and provide defensive structure.
His composure under pressure allows him to evade pressing opponents and circulate possession efficiently. Lavia is also a strong ball-winner, and while he isn’t as aggressive as Caicedo, he provides balance and stability in a midfield unit.
Key Tactical Questions
1. Does Chelsea Have Goals from Midfield?
In a midfield three, at least one midfielder should consistently join the attack to contribute with goals. Both Enzo and Caicedo show partial potential in this regard, but neither has been a consistent goal threat.
- Enzo: He has the ability to arrive late in the box and take shots from range, but he hasn’t been prolific.
- Caicedo: He makes deep runs occasionally, but his main strengths lie in defensive and transitional play rather than goal-scoring.
For Chelsea to improve their goal contributions from midfield, they may need a more attack-minded player in certain setups.
2. Can These Midfielders Dominate Space?
One of the biggest concerns is whether Chelsea’s midfielders can control large spaces effectively. Elite defensive midfielders like Nemanja Matić, Declan Rice, or André Onana have excelled in covering vast areas, winning duels, and nullifying opposition threats.
Caicedo and Lavia, while strong defensively, do not necessarily dominate large spaces in the same way. Enzo, on the other hand, is more suited to operating in tighter spaces, meaning Chelsea’s midfield might lack a player capable of covering ground defensively in a more open game.
Potential Midfield Pairings
1. Caicedo & Enzo (Double Pivot)
✅ On the Ball: This duo excels in build-up play, retaining possession, and progressing the ball through the thirds. They can create from deep and maintain control in midfield.
❌ Off the Ball: The defensive structure isn’t ideal. Without a pure defensive midfielder behind them, both players have struggled when forced to defend large spaces, as neither is a natural holding midfielder. This pairing works best in possession-heavy games but can be exposed in transitions.
2. Caicedo & Lavia (Double Pivot)
✅ On the Ball: This pairing offers strong build-up play, second-phase control, and solid chance creation. It’s a midfield best suited for maintaining possession and dictating tempo.
✅ Off the Ball: This is Chelsea’s best defensive pivot due to how well Lavia complements Caicedo. Lavia provides defensive stability, allowing Caicedo to be more aggressive in pressing higher up the pitch. If Chelsea want to solidify their defensive structure, this is their best pairing.
3. Lavia & Enzo (Double Pivot)
✅ On the Ball: Offers strong passing and composure under pressure. Lavia provides defensive coverage, while Enzo can push higher up the pitch to contribute creatively.
❌ Off the Ball: This duo lacks a physically dominant presence. While Lavia is disciplined defensively, neither player is an aggressive ball-winner like Caicedo, which could leave Chelsea vulnerable against high-intensity pressing teams.
What Are Chelsea’s Solutions?
1. Finding a True Defensive Midfielder
- Lesley Ugochukwu: A physical, space-dominating midfielder who can win duels and break up play. However, he is still developing and isn’t yet at the level required for Chelsea’s starting XI.
- Andrey Santos: A well-rounded midfielder with defensive qualities and goal-scoring ability. He could potentially develop into a strong pivot option in the future.
2. Adding a More Attack-Minded Midfielder
- Carney Chukwuemeka: A box-to-box midfielder who can score and create in advanced areas. If Chelsea need a more offensive presence in midfield, Chukwuemeka could be an option.
Final Thoughts
Chelsea’s midfield, on paper, has all the necessary profiles to succeed. Caicedo, Enzo, and Lavia each bring unique strengths, and in theory, a combination of these three should be effective.
However, the reality is that Chelsea still lack a few key elements:
- A midfielder who can regularly contribute goals.
- A true defensive anchor who can dominate large spaces.
- A player who can consistently break lines and create in advanced areas.
While Chelsea have internal solutions in players like Ugochukwu, Santos, and Chukwuemeka, some of them still need development before becoming key contributors. The challenge for Enzo Maresca will be finding the right balance in midfield, ensuring that Chelsea have both defensive solidity and attacking fluidity.
The pieces are there—it’s just a matter of making them fit.
