Jody Morris suggests that Romeo Lavia surpasses his Chelsea teammate Enzo Fernandez in at least one area of performance. Morris points out that Lavia demonstrates notably better skill in this particular aspect, hinting at a specific quality where Lavia’s abilities shine more than Fernandez’s.

This season, there has been an intriguing competition for Chelsea’s starting midfield positions, with several highly skilled players vying for limited spots. The club boasts an impressive array of talent, particularly in midfield, which has led to some prominent names regularly finding themselves on the bench. In Enzo Maresca’s current tactical approach, Chelsea operates with two central midfielders in a double-pivot system.

Initially, Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo were selected as the main partnership at the heart of midfield. However, recent performances have seen Romeo Lavia claim a place in the starting lineup, even taking Fernandez’s role in Premier League games. Former Chelsea assistant manager Jody Morris has praised Lavia’s addition to the team, especially highlighting his ability to advance with the ball—a skill Morris believes surpasses Fernandez’s.

Morris shared his admiration for Lavia’s style of play, noting that he brings a unique quality to the Chelsea midfield. “Lavia offers some added toughness, but his real strength lies in ball-carrying. He’s much better at dribbling than Enzo,” Morris explained in an interview with talkSPORT. He recalled instances, such as a memorable game against Liverpool, where Lavia effortlessly bypassed three or four players. Morris went on to express his appreciation for the Caicedo-Lavia partnership, especially given Lavia’s recent return from injury, adding that their combined presence allows Chelsea’s attackers more freedom to push forward.

While Lavia himself admits he isn’t yet performing at his peak, fans are excited to see what the 20-year-old could bring once fully fit. Missing most of the 2023/24 season due to injury, Lavia is gradually finding his rhythm again, making a noticeable impact in his seven appearances across competitions so far.

Fernandez, though immensely talented, currently finds himself competing with two strong teammates for a starting role. Although Graeme Souness has voiced skepticism about Fernandez’s role at Chelsea, Fernandez remains a technically gifted player with much to contribute to the team. If Caicedo’s spot in Chelsea’s starting eleven is secure, then the real competition lies between Lavia and Fernandez for the remaining midfield position.