Prepared Maresca for Chelsea's substantial clash against Newcastle

Fresh Take:

Liverpool's defeat at the hands of Chelsea last weekend has got manager Enzo Maresca thinking about his midfield strategy for future Premier League games. For the first time in six months, Maresca stuck with an unchanged starting lineup. But is this the right move?

The return of Romeo Lavia, who's been out since November, has given Chelsea a solid foundation in the midfield. Lavia's consistent performance has been crucial in helping Chelsea establish control in the midfield battle.

Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo, both recent recruits, have been shining stars for Chelsea. Fernandez and Caicedo have found their stride at Stamford Bridge, with Caicedo even being named the club's player of the season this week.

Caicedo, under Maresca's guidance, has been a force to be reckoned with, averaging 1.87 tackles won per 90 minutes and 1.43 interceptions per 90 minutes, displaying his defensive prowess[1]. Another standout player has been Cole Palmer, who ended his long goal drought against Liverpool.

Newcastle United, currently lying fourth in the league, present a tough challenge for Chelsea. The Magpies' form has been inspired by the duo of Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali. Maresca acknowledges the midfield as a crucial battleground in the upcoming game at St. James' Park.

"I expect a huge game," Maresca said. "We have Romeo back fit, Moises is doing well, Enzo and Cole are doing well. Newcastle also have Bruno Guimaraes, Tonali, Murphy, Willock. They have different kinds of players."

Sunday's game will be crucial for both sides as Chelsea and Newcastle are virtually tied, with just one goal separating them in the race for the Champions League. Chelsea, fifth in the table, have been finding their form, winning six of their last nine games.

However, Maresca remains cautiously optimistic. He believes that Chelsea's attacking style could play into their hands against Newcastle, who are known for their aggressive approach[2]. The final two fixtures against Manchester United and Nottingham Forest will likely decide Chelsea's fate in the race for the Champions League.

While Caicedo and Palmer have been key contributors for Chelsea, other players like Fernandez and Lavia have also played significant roles in Chelsea's recent success. The midfield trio could prove to be the decisive factor in cementing Chelsea's place in the top four[3].

[1] - https://www.whoscored.com/Reg players/1802619/Show/Moises-Caicedo[2] - https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/11045/LiveUpdate/PlayerStats/England-Premier-League/347184[3] - https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/chester-city/startseite/verein/357/saisons/2022/plus/1

"Given Chelsea's midfield success under Enzo Maresca, with players like Romeo Lavia, Enzo Fernandez, and Moises Caicedo, who has been named the club's player of the season, it seems that Maresca's midfield strategy is surely a step in the right direction for future Champions League games within the Premier League."
"As Maresca prepares for the crucial Champions League race, he may find solace in the European-leagues competition, where top teams often rely on their midfields for success, much like Chelsea with their recurring duels against clubs like Liverpool."
"Maresca might finally consider reinforcing his midfield, following the success of other teams in the Premier League such as Newcastle United, whose aggressive approach and standout players like Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali have proven effective."
"With club stalwarts like Fernandez, Caicedo, and Lavia, as well as rising stars like Cole Palmer, Chelsea's midfield seems poised to make a splash in the final fixtures against Manchester United and Nottingham Forest, securing their place in the Champions League."
"As Liverpool's defeat points to the importance of a well-organized midfield, football fans can surely look forward to more dogfights in the midfield between teams like Chelsea and Newcastle, with Champions League stakes high in the coming games."