Chelsea vs Arsenal: Why Maresca opts for Caicedo over £100m problem Enzo Fernandez

 

"It is a very proud moment for us. This will be one of the biggest football events Armenia has ever had." The local sentiment ahead of FC Noah’s trip to Stamford Bridge dripped with anticipation and excitement - and rightly so, regardless of the impending, relentless doom that awaited them. 

 

 

This is ground Armenian clubs don’t typically tread. For Noah in particular, who were founded just seven years ago, this is the first time they’ve qualified for the league or group stage of European competition. Cast your eyes across their squad; even seasoned football watchers and gaming addicts struggle to find any sort of name recognition among the names listed. 

 

So it’s only right that when the chance arises to face a cast of incredibly expensive footballers, led out by the most expensive one, Enzo Fernandez, excitement would abound. 

 

The problem is, Fernandez shouldn’t even be on that pitch. He shouldn’t be involved in this fixture. He cost £105m - a then-British record – almost two years ago, yet cannot fully command a place in Chelsea’s starting XI. So he falls into the Blues’ Thursday squad, to take on Europa duties, along with the other youngsters, misfits and underperformers. 

 

He only played 45 minutes against Noah, as by half-time his - and the team’s - job was done. With one interception, two tackles and three assists in the bank, his presence was no longer required. For him to remain on the pitch would have been ridiculous. 

 

And yet, when Chelsea line up against Arsenal this weekend, it’s very possible Fernandez is watching from the bench, as Enzo Maresca currently prefers Romeo Lavia as a partner for Moises Caicedo. “Specific physicality” is the reason cited by the Italian coach, who has obvious concerns about Fernandez’s strength, mobility and ability to cover the gaps Caicedo might leave when he goes hunting for the ball. 

 

 

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Maresca has effectively chosen Caicedo over Fernandez. What was supposed to be an incredible, complimentary midfield pairing has become the complete opposite. A straight choice between the two, with both players carrying huge price tags, and therefore huge pressure to play. But Maresca just picks Caicedo. 

 

That choice itself is fully justified. No player has more combined interceptions and attempted tackles than Caicedo (52) in the league, while he also tops his team for passes into the final third (54) and sits behind only Cole Palmer for progressive passes (50) and passes into the box (12). He’s playing so well, and doing such an array of great things, it’s arguable he’s been the very best central midfielder in the division so far. 

 

There’s also a case to be made that when partnered with Fernandez, Caicedo becomes less effective. At the end of last season, Chelsea won six of their last eight games to sneak into Europe; they did so without Fernandez, who sought treatment for pubalgia, and in his absence Caicedo went Super Saiyan, crushing teams from a more aggressive, advanced role. The hints were there in April and May; now, in November they’re cold hard facts. 

 

Caicedo can’t play with Fernandez. Caicedo is better than Fernandez. So Fernandez doesn’t play. 

 

 

It leaves the Argentine in limbo. Too good for the Conference League, yet not a part of the first choice Premier League XI. Thursday duties seem demeaning for the World Cup winner, yet apparently that’s all he can get. 

 

How this plays out between now and January will be fascinating, as plenty can still change. Another Lavia injury, for example, puts Fernandez right back in the frame. But if the status quo persists for the next two months, will Fernandez agitate for a transfer? There are several top clubs across Europe that look direly in need of his skills - and they don’t have a Caicedo blocking the path to importance.

Chelsea vs Arsenal: Why Maresca opts for Caicedo over £100m problem Enzo Fernandez