Jamie Carragher picked up on a Chelsea combination in their recent win over Liverpool that could be really exciting moving forward.
The Blues beat Liverpool 3-1 at Stamford Bridge on Sunday to collect a vital three points in the Premier League.
While the result wasn’t too damaging to Liverpool because they’ve already secured this season’s league title, Chelsea are still scraping to secure Champions League qualification.
Enzo Maresca’s side have three league games remaining to ensure they stay inside the top five positions.
In the Chelsea player ratings versus Liverpool, many individuals scored highly after standout performances in a crucial fixture. It does feel like the team may be hitting a purple patch at just the right time in the season.
Jamie Carragher spots Cole Palmer and Romeo Lavia partnership
During analysis of Chelsea’s weekend victory against Liverpool, Jamie Carragher focused on a great understanding between Blues stars Cole Palmer and Romeo Lavia.
Palmer and Lavia, who both graduated from Manchester City’s academy as youngsters, starred in Chelsea’s latest result. In particular, they linked up brilliantly in the centre of the park in the build up to Enzo Fernandez’s opening goal versus Liverpool.
Carragher said on Sky Sports’ Main Event channel (7:27pm, 5 May): “I just want to look at this Cole Palmer movement [for Chelsea’s first goal against Liverpool]. Look at Cole Palmer now, that’s the position where he’s not looking, but Lavia’s on the ball now. They are continually looking at each other. Looking at their eye line. They’re waiting for that space there. Now, as soon as Lavia sees that space, or Cole Palmer recognises that space is there, he checks…
“The connection between Lavia and Palmer, knowing when the right moment was to make that pass, leaving Curtis Jones for dead. Curtis Jones slips because the movement from Cole Palmer is so sharp. Brilliant play. And maybe that’s something to look forward to for Chelsea fans in the future with that connection between Lavia and Cole Palmer. Obviously know each other from Manchester City when they were younger as well.”
Gary Neville waxed lyrical about Cole Palmer after his magical individual performance against Liverpool. The 23-year-old attacking midfielder netted his 15th Premier League goal of the season to cap off a sensational contribution.
As for Lavia, 21, the defensive midfielder proved how much balance he brings to the team after making back-to-back starts for the first time since January.
What Cole Palmer and Romeo Lavia have said about each other
When building Chelsea’s best XI, Palmer and Lavia should be two of the first names inserted. Of course, the latter needs to overcome the frequent injuries that have plagued his first two seasons in West London.
| Season | Appearances |
| 2024/25 | 15 |
| 2023/24 | 1 |
Last summer, Cole Palmer backed Romeo Lavia by insisting he will prove his quality to everyone when he’s fit and available. Palmer commented on Lavia: “We’ve not seen him this season because he’s been injured for a full year but I think he’s one that, when he gets playing everyone will think, ‘Oh, he’s really good’”.
The Blues control football matches so well when Lavia is operating at the base of midfield, so a lot rides on whether he can overcome the fitness issues.
Earlier this season, Romeo Lavia repaid the compliment to Cole Palmer by praising his Chelsea teammate. Lavia commented on Palmer: “He’s just amazing. He’s a great player. What he’s done, I wasn’t surprised. But there’s no words to explain what he’s done, and he’s still doing. The sky is the limit for him.”
With the likes of Palmer and Lavia, the Blues do have the foundations to build a special team.
