Jody Morris claims Romeo Lavia does one thing ‘a lot better’ than Chelsea teammate Enzo Fernandez

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There’s been an intriguing battle for the starting positions in Chelsea’s midfield this season.

The Chelsea squad is blessed with so many talented individuals right now, especially in the centre of the park. Therefore, some high-profile players are being left on the bench on a regular basis.

In Enzo Maresca’s current system, the Blues are starting with two central midfielders in a double pivot.

Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo started the campaign as the starting partnership in midfield. However, Romeo Lavia has forced his way into the XI recently by taking Fernandez’s spot in the Premier League matches.

Darren Bent loves Caicedo and Lavia together in Chelsea’s midfield, largely because it gives them a great defensive platform to allow their attackers to go forward freely.

• READ MORE: Chelsea interested in signing £33m midfielder who takes inspiration from Rodri

Jody Morris says Romeo Lavia is a better ball carrier than Enzo Fernandez

Jody Morris, the former Chelsea assistant manager, has been discussing the dynamic within the current Blues midfield.

Interestingly, he likes Lavia’s introduction to the starting XI, especially because he dribbles with the ball more effectively than Fernandez.

“I feel that Lavia offers a bit of steeliness, but there’s different ways of creating. He can carry the ball very well, a lot better than an Enzo [Fernandez] can… Sometimes Lavia carrying the ball, I remember at Liverpool it was, he was going past three or four players,” Morris told talkSPORT.

Morris later added: “I’m loving that partnership (Lavia and Caicedo), particularly because we’ve missed Lavia for so long and his injuries. I think you’re seeing the best of Caicedo now when them two play together.”

Lavia claims he’s not at his best yet for Chelsea. If that’s true, it’s very exciting to think what else the 20-year-old star can offer once he’s fit and firing at full tilt.

In fairness, the deep-lying midfielder missed nearly the whole of the 2023/24 season through injury, so he may still be getting up to full speed. In seven appearances across all competitions this season, Lavia has definitely made a huge impact on the team.

As for Fernandez, 23, he can count himself a bit unfortunate to be behind two excellent teammates in the midfield pecking order right now.

Graeme Souness doesn’t rate Fernandez as a Chelsea signing, but the midfield star is technically brilliant and does have so much to offer still.

Romeo Lavia vs Enzo Fernandez

If Caicedo has locked down his starting position in Chelsea’s XI for the foreseeable future, Lavia and Fernandez are effectively battling it out one for role in the best team.

Here is a look at how the midfield rivals compare in the Premier League this season:

The eye test tells you that Lavia is a better dribbler than Fernandez. As seen above, the statistics this campaign support that as well.