Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca believes he has the midfield to drive the club to new heights now his injury problems have lifted.
Against Liverpool last weekend the Italian named an unchanged XI between Premier League games for the first time in six months as the champions were beaten 3-1 to shore up the Blues’ Champions League push.
The return of Romeo Lavia – who has started back-to-back matches for the first time since November having missed virtually all of last season – has had a transformational effect on Chelsea’s ability to control the middle of the pitch, while Cole Palmer was back to his best against Arne Slot’s side.
Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo, each signed for British-record transfer fees but who struggled initially to have an impact, are playing their best football since arriving in west London, with Caicedo named the club’s player of the season this week.
And midfield could hold the key to who comes out on top in Sunday’s huge clash with Newcastle at St James’ Park, with the hosts’ charge up the table since December owing much to the form of Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali in particular.
Asked whether Chelsea’s midfield quartet could carry them forward, Maresca said: “Absolutely, yes.
“Against Liverpool we repeated the first XI (for the first time) after six months. It’s important when you can continue with the same players.
“We have Romeo back fit, Moises is doing well, Enzo and Cole are doing well. (Newcastle) also have Bruno Guimaraes, Tonali, (Jacob) Murphy, (Joe) Willock. They have different kinds of players. I expect for sure a huge game.”
Chelsea go into Sunday’s game level on points and on goal difference with Eddie Howe’s Newcastle, with both sides knowing a win will land a huge blow in the race for the top five.
The Blues have hit form at just the right moment, winning six of their last nine in the league to take charge of their Champions League fate.
But whatever the result on Sunday, their destiny will likely still rest on their final two fixtures, at home to Manchester United and away to top-five rivals Nottingham Forest.
Maresca singled out his compatriot Tonali as a player that could hurt his side and praised the Italy international’s impact this season having missed virtually all of the previous campaign due to a gambling ban.
“Sandro this season has been top for Newcastle, he’s doing very well. He’s a fantastic player, I’ve known him since he was in Brescia,” Maresca added.
“That kind of moment (the ban) is not ideal but now he is stronger and you can see how good he is.
“They are very aggressive, especially when we are in our (half), they go man to man. When they are in their half they are more medium block, low block. But physicality they are very strong.”
Asked whether Newcastle’s style could bring the best out of Chelsea, Maresca said: “I hope so. We’ve played games against teams who play a low block, against teams that try to be aggressive, and we made some good games in both situations.”
