Enzo Maresca praised “unbelievable” Romeo Lavia after the Belgian marked his first Chelsea start since January with an impressive performance in Saturday’s 1-0 win over Everton.
Lavia played 67 minutes at the base of Maresca’s midfield at Stamford Bridge with Moises Caicedo inverting from right-back to play alongside him. The pair provided a foundation for an hour of impressive Chelsea control against Everton, punctuated by Nicolas Jackson scoring his first goal of 2025 to break the deadlock in the 27th minute.
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The withdrawal of Lavia for club captain Reece James midway through the second half precipitated an anxious finale for Chelsea as Everton pushed for an equaliser, but Maresca’s team held on to earn a victory that boosts their Champions League qualification hopes.
“When he’s fit, he’s one of the best midfielders because he can defend very well, he can attack, he breaks the line, the pass between the lines, it isunbelievable,” Maresca said of Lavia, who has started just nine Premier League games for Chelsea in 2024-25.
“He’s very good and hopefully we can have him until the end of the season.
“I spent one entire season with Romeo when I was under 23 (coach) at (Manchester) City. So I know Romeo very well. For us it’s like Reece — they are both top players. The only shame for us is that unfortunately we need to manage them, we need to protect them. But there’s no doubt that Chelsea with Reece and Romeo is a better team.”
Maresca also had words of praise for match-winner Jackson and encouragement for Cole Palmer, who extended his run of games without a goal to 17 across all competitions — as well as goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, who has faced sustained criticism from supporters this season.
“We said many times that we don’t have doubts (about) the ones who struggled a little bit for part of the season, like Nico, like Cole, like Robert,” Chelsea’s head coach added.
“It’s the moment that you have to support them even more. Nico finally found the goal. Hopefully Cole soon can score goals, but I think Cole’s performance was very good. He sacrificed, he was pressing well. So it’s just a matter of time for all of them and for sure they’re going to help us.”
Chelsea return to action on Thursday with the first leg of their Conference League semi-final against Djurgarden before returning to Premier League action three days later at home to Liverpool.
(Julian Finney/Getty Images)
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