Kobbie Mainoo vs Romeo Lavia – How the stats compare as Manchester United midfielder linked with Chelsea move

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Assessing Chelsea’s squad, Enzo Maresca has some very good options in midfield.

Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez and Romeo Lavia are all great at what they do in the middle of the park.

Even so, it looks like Chelsea want to strengthen there this year. It is being reported that Chelsea are keen on Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo.

Mainoo is only a couple of years younger than Lavia and with the latter unable to stay fit, the former could be brought in to do his job. So how do the two players compare?

• READ MORE: The biggest reason why Chelsea shouldn’t even consider Kobbie Mainoo signing, it would make no sense

Kobbie Mainoo more than capable of filling in for Romeo Lavia

Mainoo has made just under 40 appearances in the Premier League since making his top-flight debut in 2023.

That is practically a whole season, so Mainoo is no longer a Premier League novice. However, that bit of top-flight experience he has is not the sole thing that makes him a viable alternative to Lavia.

When you look at the stats, the two are quite similar, with Mainoo even coming out on top in some areas.

For example, Mainoo is currently averaging 2.4 tackles per game in the Premier League this season, which is more than Lavia. He is making more passes as well, though Lavia’s pass success rate is slightly higher.

Lavia’s biggest strength is probably his ability to escape the opposition’s press. He completes 1.32 successful take-ons per 90 minutes, which is quite a high number for a central midfielder, showing that the 21-year-old can take the ball past players, which includes situations where he is being put under pressure.

Mainoo is actually completing 1.74, a display of his own confidence and ability to take on players.

If Lavia could stay fit, Mainoo may not even be a topic of conversation. Lavia, Caicedo, Fernandez and maybe a young midfielder who is happy to sit on the bench probably would have been enough for Maresca.

But with Lavia constantly on the sidelines, maybe Chelsea do need to sign another player for their engine room, with Mainoo proving that he can make a similar impact on the pitch to Lavia. Of course, Chelsea do have the option of recalling Andrey Santos, so that is another direction they could head in.

Chelsea could struggle to convince Kobbie Mainoo to join the club

A move to Chelsea would see Mainoo have to compete against Caicedo and Fernandez for a spot, as well as Lavia when he is fit.

It is much easier to get into Ruben Amorim’s midfield at the moment, while the England international came through the ranks at United.

It is no surprise to hear, then, that Mainoo’s preference is to remain at United.