It’s only taken a pair of British record transfer fees, but it looks like Chelsea may finally have a functional midfield again.
While optimism was rife heading into the new season with Mauricio Pochettino at the helm, concerns were widespread about the lack of options in the Blues’ engine room. Thus, Pochettino was forced to go bold in pre-season as Conor Gallagher was deployed in a deeper position, and while the England international performed well in the unfamiliar role, it was never going to be a long-term option.
In the wake of their opening day draw with Liverpool, Chelsea moved quickly to wrap up the £115m signing of Moises Caicedo from Brighton. Now, the west London club are hoping to secure the services of Romeo Lavia, who’s rejected a move to Anfield in favour of Stamford Bridge.
Lavia starred in the top flight last season, and here’s how he and Caicedo could fit in together within Pochettino’s framework.
Despite his talent and form he displayed for the Saints in the Premier League last season, it’s unlikely that Lavia will emerge as a starter right away at Stamford Bridge. However, once Lavia has found his groove, we could see the youngster team up with the fellow new arrival in the middle of the park.
While Caicedo and Lavia are somewhat similar in profile in that they’re stabilisers who are more than comfortable in possession, but aren’t so willing to contribute higher up the pitch, using the pair together would provide Pochettino with a ton of midfield stability.
In a 4-2-3-1, the tandem could be used in a rather conservative double pivot with a free roaming number ten used ahead of them. This could be Christopher Nkunku once he returns, Carney Chukwuemeka, Conor Gallagher, or even Enzo Fernandez – we’ll get onto him in a minute.
The security provided by Caicedo and Lavia would hand Chelsea’s dynamic full-backs more license to advance up the pitch and wreak havoc in the final third. Both Reece James and Ben Chilwell are bound to be protagonists at the start of the Pochettino era.
Potential lineups:
Caicedo – Lavia – Nkunku (#10)
Caicedo – Lavia – Chukwuemeka (#10)
Caicedo – Lavia – Gallagher (#10)
Chilwell (WB) – Caicedo – Lavia – James (WB)
Chelsea have signed Caicedo largely to complement dazzling midfield controller Fernandez. The Argentine produced a sterling display in the Blues’ 1-1 draw with Liverpool and is bound to establish himself as one of the Premier League’s best with Pochettino at the helm.
He’ll only benefit from Caicedo’s arrival, with the Ecuadorian handing Enzo greater freedom to advance from his midfield role and have a greater influence in and around the opposition’s box. The former Benfica star, however, is capable of doing pretty much anything in possession. He can aid the build-up, circulate possession in the second phase, progress the ball through the lines, and deliver the final pass.
Ball-winning phenom Caicedo is the perfect foil for the elegant Argentine, and we could see the pair join Lavia in a midfield three. Let’s say Pochettino opts for a 3-1-6 shape that looks to be becoming popular at the start of the new season. Caicedo or Lavia could operate at the base with the other joining Fernandez in a free eight position.
Similarly, in a 3-2-5, Caicedo and Lavia can function as the solid base with Enzo advancing ahead of the ball and receiving between the lines. However, this shape will more likely spring from a 4-2-3-1 – as mentioned above.
Gallagher or Andrey Santos could also look to play the more forward thinking midfield role, though the former may stil end up leaving Chelsea and the latter is perhaps a project player for the future.
Potential lineups:
Caicedo – Lavia – Fernandez
Caicedo – Lavia – Gallagher
Caicedo – Lavia – Andrey Santos
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