Caicedo, Fernandez, Lavia: Ex- Super Eagles midfielder Mikel reveals Chelsea's ideal double pivot pairing

John Obi Mikel has revealed the two best Chelsea players to play in Enzo Maresca's double pivot.

The Italian tactician has played with a 4-2-3-1 formation since the start of the season and has had to choose between Enzo Fernández, Moisés Caicedo and Roméo Lavia for the double pivot positions.

Caicedo is the only player to have started all Premier League games among the trio, serving as the main defensive midfielder and, as a result, established himself as one of the first names on the team sheet.

The other pivot position has been contested between Fernández and Lavia, and while the former has started more Premier League games, it appears the latter has displaced the former in the starting lineup.

Lavia has started the last games against Liverpool, Newcastle United and Manchester United, respectively, with Fernández's last two starts being in the UEFA Europa Conference League and the Carabao Cup.

Asked on The Obi One Podcast on whether Caicedo and Lavia are the best players for Chelsea's double pivot,Mikel didn't hide his feelings about the partnership of the duo

“I think so, everybody will say they both of them are fit right now, they start. Caicedo and Lavia starts," Mikel stated.

"So Enzo for me, I just think sometimes you know the Premier League is a tough league because you spent 100 million yeah but the Premier League is a tough league. 

“Not everybody get used to the Premier League. You know people struggle, players struggle, people don't get used to it and I think that is what is happening with Fernandez. He is struggling to find his feet in the Premier League.”

Fernández is the club's record signing but the Argentine midfielder has struggled to find his feet and may have to contend with a place on the bench if he doesn't step up.

He is in contention to get back to the starting lineup in tonight's Conference League clash with Noah at Stamford Bridge.

Abdulkareem Abdulhamid

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