“His best time to bench him” – Enzo Maresca should now consider dropping ‘world-class’ Chelsea player after the international break
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Chelsea entered the international break unable to secure a win, settling for a draw against Nottingham Forest. Despite having a numerical advantage late in the game, with Forest reduced to 10 men, Enzo Maresca’s team couldn’t find the decisive goal, although Noni Madueke’s impressive strike did level the score.
The Blues had numerous opportunities to clinch the match, but the attacking substitutes made by Maresca failed to capitalize on two significant chances late in the contest. It was a tightly contested game against a mid-table rival, but the fluidity and brilliance seen in previous matches against West Ham and Brighton were notably absent this time.
A Case for Dropping Enzo Fernandez
Maresca has kept the same starting XI for his last two matches, but it might be time to reconsider this approach, particularly in the midfield. Enzo Fernandez, in particular, may need to be the one to make way. His partner, Moises Caicedo, has been a standout performer for Chelsea this season, while Fernandez has struggled to meet the team’s expectations.
Romeo Lavia: A Potential Replacement
The prospect of dropping Fernandez might be eased by the recent return of Romeo Lavia from injury. The young midfielder has already shown he could fit seamlessly into Maresca’s style of play. In Chelsea’s opening match against Manchester City, Lavia was arguably the best player on the pitch, earning praise from pundits like Gary Neville.
Many fans would welcome a midfield pairing of Lavia and Caicedo, especially with the challenging league fixtures ahead. With the international break providing Lavia an opportunity to regain fitness, and with Fernandez likely returning late from international duty in South America, the upcoming match could be the perfect time for Maresca to make this change.
It’s essential for the Blues to get everything right as they seek to maximize their points haul in the coming weeks.
