Moises Caicedo Enzo Maresca: Chelsea show strength as young midfield shines. There is a simple question for fans this season. Can Chelsea fight near the top of the Premier League table? After the latest round of games, it looks possible. Enzo Maresca has brought calm, control, and a clear way of playing. His Chelsea team won 2-0 away at Burnley and moved into a strong early position in the league. What made the win more interesting was that Moises Caicedo did not start the match.
The Ecuador star was rested after a tiring international break, yet Chelsea still played with confidence and balance. The midfield worked well, and young Andrey Santos impressed many people with his strong display. It showed that even without Caicedo, Chelsea still have depth in key areas. This match has started a new discussion about how Maresca is building a squad where young players can step in and look ready. It also raised the idea that Chelsea may have more exciting defensive midfielders rising in the system.
Moises Caicedo Enzo Maresca and Santos shine in the Burnley win
The match at Burnley showed how Enzo Maresca wants his midfield to play. It must be calm on the ball, strong in duels, and ready to work hard. With Moises Caicedo out, that role needed filling. Santos stepped forward and did it with maturity and hunger. He won tackles, recovered the ball, and kept the game simple. He also created a big chance and made good forward passes. This showed that he can cover space and support the team in a high-level Premier League game.
Enzo Fernandez also had a strong match and scored late on. He has added goals and assists this season and is becoming a key attacking midfielder. But Santos took much of the attention because he showed the dirty work that Caicedo usually handles. Caicedo normally wins duels, presses opponents, and protects the defence. Santos showed he can do that too. His energy helped Chelsea stay in control. Maresca will now know he has a player who can step in when needed. This matters over a long season.
Moises Caicedo Enzo Maresca and the rise of Essugo as another midfield option
Chelsea are not only relying on Santos. There is also Dario Essugo, another young defensive midfielder who has been praised during his loan spells. Scouts have called him powerful, calm, and impressive in tough leagues. Some have even said he is one of the most exciting defensive midfielders in Europe. His numbers with Las Palmas showed strong duels, tackles, and ball recoveries. These qualities match what Maresca wants from a midfield player in his system. Even though Essugo is injured right now, he showed flashes of quality in pre-season and could push for chances when fit again. With Estevao, Marc Guiu, and others also rising, it is clear that Maresca trusts young players. This creates competition for places and gives Chelsea more strength in depth. If Caicedo needs rest or suffers fatigue again, there are real options waiting behind him. For a long season, that could be a big advantage.
Authorโs Opinion
Chelsea’s biggest takeaway from the situation is that the team is not focused on and getting its identity from just one player in midfield. Moises Caicedo, of course, is a significant piece of the team, but Enzo Maresca has engineered some balance and structure so that players can express themselves.
Santos looks ready, and Essugo could provide an even bigger boost when he returns. It is intelligent squad building. It brings with it patience, confidence, and the long view. If the youth in the midfield continue to progress, Chelsea can operate above the league in this season and for many seasons to come.
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