Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has been raving about two of his players following the Blues’ 1-0 win against Everton over the weekend.
Nicolas Jackson was Chelsea‘s match-winner, scoring just before the half-hour mark to keep his side’s Champions League hopes alive.
Before that game, Opta predicted Chelsea to miss out on Champions League qualification, but Maresca‘s men currently sit fifth in the Premier League table.
While it was Jackson won all three points for the Blues, that has not stopped Maresca from talking up a couple of his teammates.
Chelsea team better with Romeo Lavia and Reece James
Maresca was happy with Cole Palmer and Romeo Lavia following Chelsea’s victory over Everton on Saturday.
Lavia was making his first start for the team since January, and his manager thinks the Blues are a much better outfit when the midfielder and Reece James are both in the side.
Speaking to Chelsea’s official website and others after the game, Maresca said: “I spent one entire season with Romeo when I was at the Under-21s with Man City, so I know Romeo very well.
“For us it’s like Reece, they are both top players. The only shame for us is that unfortunately we need to manage them. We need to protect them, but there’s no doubt that Chelsea with Reece and Romeo is a better team.”
Lavia and James have both struggled to stay fit this season, but Maresca has the pair available again at the perfect time.
Chelsea have some hard games coming up as they look to finish inside the top five, including a clash against the new Premier League champions Liverpool.
Chelsea and Liverpool could then find themselves going head-to-head with each other in the summer transfer window.
It is thought that both Chelsea and Liverpool are keen on Kenan Yildiz, who has caught the eye at Juventus this season.
Romeo Lavia enjoys being in same team as Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez
Lavia is just one midfield option that Maresca has, while the Chelsea manager has also played James in the middle this term.
Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez are two others, and Lavia feels privileged to play alongside the South American duo.
When Lavia spoke about Caicedo and Fernandez after Saturday’s game, he said: “I mean, they’re great players, so it’s amazing to play alongside them and I feel like we’ve all got different qualities.”
It is some midfield that Chelsea have. The club just need to try and keep Lavia fit, while James is obviously a terrific right-back option as well.
