Chelsea told exactly what they are ‘lacking’ after Crystal Palace game – it involves Moises Caicedo

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Chelsea failed to relieve any of the growing pressure on them after slipping up again away to Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon.

The Blues went into this weekend’s Premier League match against Palace off the back of consecutive defeats against Ipswich Town and Fulham. Therefore, Enzo Maresca’s side must be disappointed with today’s 1-1 draw at Selhurst Park, especially after leading the contest for so long.

Jadon Sancho produced some magic to assist Cole Palmer’s 13th league goal of the season, which put Chelsea into an early 1-0 lead. However, Palace centre-forward Jean-Philippe Mateta netted a late equaliser to mean the points were shared.

• READ MORE: Chelsea player ratings vs Crystal Palace as Jadon Sancho receives high score and one player gets 4/10

Chelsea told what they’re missing after Crystal Palace draw

BBC pundit Danny Murphy believes that Chelsea’s game management is a real weakness after watching them throw two points away at Palace.

Murphy suggested that the Blues were crying out for a defensive-minded midfielder to sit alongside Moises Caicedo to close the game out. Instead, they continued playing on the front foot in an end to end contest.

“It’s game management where Chelsea are lacking at times. They need to know when to slow things down, having some men drop off, having someone sitting alongside Moises Caicedo in the base of midfield, instead of this constant trying to go forward,” Murphy told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“Against Fulham it was similar to today, it ended up being end to end and like a basketball game towards the end and they lost.

“There is still the quality there and they are a young side, I still think they will be strong in the second half of the season.”

Romeo Lavia is the solution

It’s pretty obvious that Chelsea midfielder Romeo Lavia, 20, is the answer to the problem raised by Murphy above.

The Belgian youngster has missed a few games recently through injury, but whenever he slots into the Blues XI he brings an extra bit of composure and defensively stability.

Lavia is “very close” to returning for Chelsea from a thigh problem that’s kept him out of the last five league matches. It’s clear from his appearances this campaign that he’s so influential in and out of possession when he slots into the No.6 midfield position.

Darren Bent likes Lavia and Caicedo in the same Chelsea midfield, which is certainly a double pivot that gives them extra defensive cover and assurance. It can allow Enzo Fernandez to push higher up the pitch, too.

Lavia’s poor injury record since his move to Stamford Bridge is alarming, but supporters will be hoping he can stay fit for the second half of the season.