Enzo Maresca discovers new undroppable as Chelsea head coach makes shock Cole Palmer claim

Over 100 days had passed since Romeo Lavia's last start for Chelsea, so it was no wonder supporters were tremendously excited to see his name among the starting line-up against Everton.

A must-win game and Enzo Maresca threw the Belgian back into the team for the first time in over three months - a sign of how important he is to the Blues head coach. Lavia has had such torrid luck with injuries since moving to Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2023 from Southampton for around £58million. The 21-year-old has missed a total of 67 games in all competitions due to various injury problems.

However, on the small amount of occasions he has been on the pitch this season, he has proven to be a significant cog in Maresca's machine. Lavia more defensive minded than any of his peers in the centre of the pitch and it allows a much more balanced midfield. It is not only his work out of possession that catches the eye, though, as his 67 minutes against Everton showed.

Lavia always looks to play on the front foot. While some in Chelsea's team frustrate supporters with going backwards or sideways too often, the Belgium international is always looking to see how he can get his side into dangerous areas. And that was evident against the Toffees, particularly in the first-half of the 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge.

In his 67-minute cameo, Lavia made three tackles, two interceptions, won all three of his aerial duels, four of his eight ground duels and finished the match with an 87% pass accuracy (33 completed). Just simply having him in there benefited his teammates. It was one of the most complete performances from Chelsea all season and it is absolutely no coincidence this happened with Lavia in midfield.

Given his little time on the field this season, it may first seem ludicrous to have him on such a pedestal, but if Chelsea can keep him fit for the last four matches of the Premier League season then it could make the big difference. The required difference between the Blues finishing in a Champions League spot or not.

Elsewhere, it was a really good day for Nicolas Jackson. The Senegal striker notched for the first time in 14 matches in all competitions. For someone on that long of a goal drought, the way he struck the ball with no hesitation into the bottom corner may have had you fooled.

Maresca admitted a couple of weeks ago that if Chelsea cannot get Jackson and Cole Palmer - who is now 17 matches without a goal - scoring again then it would be really difficult for his side to achieve their main target of qualifying for the Champions League. Now, though, Jackson has broke his duck and Maresca - who was frustrated he had to watch from the press box, serving his one-match touchline ban - was pleased with the performance from Palmer, who - to many other people watching - looked low on confidence once again.

The Chelsea head coach would have also been delighted with the performance of his defence. Robert Sanchez, who has been strongly criticised this season for a number of mistakes he has made in goal, made two really impressive saves to keep hold of his clean sheet.

Trevoh Chalobah was outstanding at the back. Not only did the Cobham graduate create the chance for the only goal of the game with the pressure he applied to Beto close to the halfway line, but he performed tremendously throughout the 90 minutes. Since Wesley Fofana's latest injury, Chalobah has established himself as the first-choice option to replace the Frenchman, in front of the more experienced Tosin Adarabioyo.

Many were surprised when they saw Noni Madueke start on the left wing. The England international has been used on the right-hand side ever since he moved to Chelsea in January 2023, but started on the other flank on Saturday afternoon. Pedro Neto was on the right - a position Maresca is confident is the Portuguese's best - and it worked for both of Chelsea's wide men.

Madueke was a constant threat for the Blues. He can count himself extremely unfortunate he does not find himself on the score sheet. If it was not for an in-form Jordan Pickford, the Chelsea winger would have had himself an eighth league goal of the 2024/25 season. Neto, meanwhile, was lively throughout the game and gave Vitalii Mykolenko a difficult time.

Overall, a different game for Maresca, who does not want to get used to the view he had at Stamford Bridge, but a more than pleasant afternoon for the Chelsea head coach. They are back down in fifth for now but after back-to-back wins, there should be an air of confidence among the Chelsea squad at the moment.