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Enzo Maresca warned Chelsea are so much worse when £58m ‘key player’ isn’t starting

Jamie Brown

Tue 11 February 2025 12:45, UK

Chelsea have been told that they are much worse when one of their key players, who is currently injured, is not starting following their defeat to Brighton in the FA Cup.

The Blues were knocked out of the FA Cup by Brighton and Hove Albion who came from behind on the South Coast to win 2-1 a🌺nd reached the next round.

Enzo Marseca’s team have been on a poor run of form recently having won just t♋hr𝄹ee times in their last 10 matches which has coincided with one of their star players being injured.

🌱The Italian manager must find a solution to this missing player as he isn’t due back for a while as his abse𓆏nce from the team is clearly being felt.

Dean Ashton tells Chelsea Romeo Lavia is key for them

Dean Ashton claims that Romeo Lavia is a “key player” for Chelsea and he has been really impressed with Marseca’s side w🐲hen he pl🦋ays.

The midfielder has 🌊b🍨een sidelined with a hamstring injury since December 8 when he was forced off in their 4-2 win over Tottenham.

Lavia is due back from injury in early April so the West London club will need to find an alternative option until then, with Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo as thei🍎r curre🐎nt midfield configuration.

Dean Ashton told Sky Sports News: “Obviously, Lavia makes a big difference. When he’s in that midfield, he gives a lot more freedom for a (Cole) Palmer, for an Enzo Fernandez, for the 🃏forward players, the 🦋way he plays in midfield with Caicedo.

“I think 🔜he is actually a key player. When he’s played, I’ve been veꦕry impressed with the setup of Chelsea’s midfield.”

Chelsea’s record with vs without Romeo Lavia

Chelsea’s record with versus without Lavia isn’t actually too dissim⛎ilar with the team having won half their games when has and hasn’t featured.

But it’s cl🌳ear that when the 22-year-old is on the pitch, as Ashton points out, their attacking players have greater freedom to get forward.

Given the dip in form from the likes of Palmer, Sancho and Jacks🌜on, not ♚having the presence of Lavia in the middle is hurting them.