Chelsea lining up move for 'one of the best PL midfielders'

Enzo Maresca has solely been at Chelsea for practically seven months, already implementing a really clear system on the pitch, which had seen relative success for the primary six months.

Nevertheless, up to now month, issues have taken a slight flip, with the Blues struggling to choose up factors, now sitting sixth within the Premier League after 23 video games performed.

The midfield configuration has been extraordinarily essential for Maresca this season, utilising the likes of Moises Caicedo, Roméo Lavia and Enzo Fernández in several methods, utilizing inverted fullbacks to platform his high-value midfielders in one of the best ways.

Nevertheless, because of the damage problems with Lavia, Maresca hasn’t had a lot option to be versatile together with his midfield, which has introduced some damage scares for the likes of Fernandez and Caicedo, because the Blues now look somewhat gentle on this division, as they don’t seem to be trying to deliver again loanees on this space.

Due to this fact, might the Blues take a look at including a distinct kind of midfield profile alongside the likes of Caicedo and Fernandez, who’s extra of a pure quantity six, brings some further bodily attributes however can nonetheless go well with Maresca’s model of play.

Chelsea’s seek for a midfielder

In response to reviews from TEAMtalk, Chelsea have an actual curiosity in Brighton midfielder, Carlos Baleba, who’s being monitored intently for what would probably be a summer time transfer.

The Blues, in accordance with the report, sounded out the provision and valuation of Baleba earlier this month. The suggestion is that they must ‘large overpay’ in an effort to get their man earlier than the looming deadline, though it’s hinted that such a transfer isn’t fully out of the query.

The 21-year-old arrived from Lille for a charge of round £23.2m in 2023, changing Caicedo who joined Chelsea that summer time. However might he comply with an analogous path, with the Blues touchdown the midfielder for a big charge?

Baleba has made 23 appearances for Brighton this marketing campaign underneath new supervisor, Fabian Hurzeler, scoring three targets, offering two assists, contributing to 6 clear sheets and totalling 1,770 minutes performed.

How Baleba compares to Caicedo

Caicedo has made 25 appearances for Maresca’s facet this season, scoring one aim, offering two assists, contributing to 5 clear sheets and totalling 2,149 minutes performed.

The 23-year-old has grow to be completely key underneath Maresca, with the Italian stating: “He is very humble, every little thing we ask he’s there to do it. I am loving his performances”.

Carlos Baleba vs Moises Caicedo comparability
Stats (per 90 minutes)	Baleba	Caicedo
Targets + Assists	0.26	0.13
Progressive Carries	1.60	0.97
Progressive Passes	4.50	5.31
Go Completion %	88.4%	88.7%
Passes into Ultimate Third	4.32	6.55
Tackles	2.90	2.92
Blocks	1.54	1.28
Interceptions	1.89	1.46
Ball Recoveries	6.75	6.06
Aerial Duels Received	1.36	1.06
Stats taken from FBref

When evaluating the 2 midfielders’ underlying numbers this season, you’ll be able to see how good Baleba has been, with Caicedo being broadly praised as among the best performers within the league this season.

Baleba is averaging extra defensive actions per 90, successful extra aerial duels, recovering the ball extra continuously and even including targets and assists for his facet at a better price.

Charlie Adam, the previous Liverpool man, has praised Baleba already this season, stating the teenager brings “one thing that is completely different from what’s been within the Premier League”.

Many consider if his type continues, he would be the subsequent big-money transfer from Brighton to a top-six membership, with analyst Ben Mattinson dubbing him “among the best midfielders within the league” at current.

Including Baleba to Chelsea’s midfield ranks would permit Maresca to unleash Caicedo somewhat bit additional forwards, urgent increased up the pitch as he did with Brighton, but in addition impacting the sport extra on the ball within the last third together with his passing high quality.

Having seen the success of touchdown the Ecuadorian from the Amex, repeating the trick together with his inheritor obvious might show an actual masterstroke for the Blues.