“This is affecting”- Merson names Chelsea star who’s absence is impacting performances, and it’s not Jackson | OneFootball

Chelsea are currently struggling but Paul Merson believes there’s one player missing which is really having an impact on their performances.

The Blues injury list contains several first team stars with the likes of Benoit Badiashile, Noni Madueke, Nicolas Jackson and Romeo Lavia all absent.

Wesley Fofana is expected to be in the squad on Tuesday night for the Southampton game in shock news, with the Frenchman seemingly recovering well ahead of schedule.

Merson on Chelsea missing Lavia

Chelsea’s expensively assembled squad should be ready to deal with the demands of a season, but poor recruitment has left the Blues short in a number of key areas on the pitch.

Maresca doesn’t have an alternative to Nicolas Jackson, whilst there’s also a lack of depth in midfield, despite the signing of Mathis Amougou on deadline day from St Etienne.

The Blues will hopefully be boosted by the return of their injured stars after the March International break, but they still have some important fixtures to navigate between now and then.

Lavia has once again been plagued by injury issues this season. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty)

Merson has previously spoken on how Jackson’s absence has impacted the performance of Cole Palmer, but the Sky Sports pundit believes the Blues are also really missing Lavia.

“I also believe Chelsea are missing Romeo Lavia,” he told Sportskeeda as quoted by The Chelsea Chronicle.

“I know he has struggled for fitness ever since joining the club, but with him in there, Chelsea have more legs in midfield. Lavia is also someone who can win the ball back.

“Both Enzo Fernandez and [Cole] Palmer are good passers of the ball unlike Moises Caicedo, who is also a natural ball-winner like Lavia. This is affecting Chelsea in games.”

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Lavia has been a huge miss, but once again the 21-year-old has been plagued by injury issues, and Maresca had previously stated he hoped to have the Belgian available for the final ten games of the season.

In Lavia’s absence a lot of pressure has been placed on Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo and Chelsea are lucky neither of them have picked up injuries, and Lavia’s return to fitness can’t come quick enough for the Blues.