Chelsea’s head coach, Enzo Maresca, recently sent a strong message to his squad, stressing that no player is indispensable, regardless of past achievements or price tags.
This announcement came after Maresca made the surprising decision to drop Enzo Fernandez, the club’s record signing and Argentine World Cup winner, from his starting lineup in recent Premier League matches.
Fernandez, who joined Chelsea from Benfica for £107 million ($138 million) in January 2023, has instead been seen leading the team in cup matches, while other midfielders have taken his spot in league games.
The decision to sideline Fernandez, one of the club’s star players, reflects Maresca’s evolving tactics. The manager currently favors Romeo Lavia, a less experienced player, to partner with Moises Caicedo in the midfield, citing a need for greater “physicality” in their formation.
Maresca has repeatedly emphasized his belief that every player on Chelsea’s roster is replaceable. “I still trust him (Fernandez),” Maresca stated during a recent press conference. “There’s no reason in the world I can lose confidence in him… The reason he isn’t playing in the Premier League is that in this moment I take different decisions, but my confidence is 100 percent with Enzo.”
Despite Fernandez previously captaining Chelsea in the absence of Reece James, his fall in rank highlights the fierce competition for a spot in Chelsea’s midfield. Lavia’s recent form and physical attributes have impressed Maresca, enough to adjust his lineup.
He explained, “I like to say there are players that are fantastic, but for me we don’t have indispensable players.” Maresca illustrated this view further by mentioning alternative options in other positions, indicating his flexibility with the squad: “If Cole (Palmer) is not playing for any reason, we play Joao (Felix). If Nico (Nicolas Jackson) is not playing, we play Christo (Christopher Nkunku). There is not one that we cannot change.”
Rumors have already begun to circulate regarding Fernandez’s future, with reports from Spain suggesting Real Madrid may be interested in negotiating a deal to bring the midfielder to La Liga. However, Maresca continues to insist that his recent selections are based on Chelsea’s need for balance and strength in the midfield.
He noted that when Fernandez is on the field, the team tends to struggle in maintaining physical dominance in the center, an area where Lavia and Caicedo excel. “It’s a matter of balance,” Maresca said. “Romeo and Moises give us physicality, strength in the middle.”
As Chelsea prepares for their upcoming match against Manchester United, Maresca’s recent lineup changes have raised anticipation over who will ultimately secure the starting midfield positions. His strategy not only puts pressure on Fernandez but also encourages other squad members to stay competitive, knowing that past accomplishments or transfer fees do not guarantee playing time.
