Damning Romeo Lavia stat makes Valentin Barco a certainty to start when Chelsea face Brentford
Social media is awash with criticism from Chelsea fans on Saturday night as the Blues failed to beat Hull City on Saturday afternoon, and one question kept coming up: Romeo Lavia or Valentin Barco?
Another competitive fixture, another opportunity missed for Lavia to complete 90 minutes. Whether it is a mental block, the injury-hit first couple of seasons at Chelsea, or simply the lack of fitness – who knows.
But one thing is for sure: Lavia was one of a handful of Chelsea players who struggled as Hull remained unbeaten in the Premier League during Saturday’s 2-2 draw. Alonso has got to consider dropping Lavia.
Lavia won just two duels during Chelsea’s draw with Hull City
Lavia lasted 69 minutes before Alonso decided that enough was enough, and he brought on Valentin Barco for his first meaningful Premier League appearance. It comes after Barco starred against Leeds.
The former Man City star’s stats make for bad reading. Across 70 minutes, Lavia just won two duels – losing three. Failing to win 60% of his duels is bad enough, but being involved in just five is a concern.
Barco featured for the remaining 21 minutes and injury time. Despite his limited minutes on the pitch, Barco won more duels than Lavia (3). Indeed, Barco got himself involved in more duels than Lavia, too.
Chelsea have an aggressive midfield terrier waiting to go, and Alonso has got to trust him in this side. Especially when Lavia is fluctuating between good and bad performances. Today was certainly the latter.
Barco’s passing stats were also superior to Lavia’s against Hull
If Chelsea fans, or Alonso, needed convincing about starting the former Strasbourg and Brighton star when it comes to facing Brentford next weekend, his passing stats were also far better than Lavia’s.
DISCUSS: It’s time for Xabi Alonso to start Valentin Barco…
The stats simply DO NOT lie 👇
Across 69 minutes, Lavia completed just 81% of his 43 passes – a total of 35. Barco, in the 20 minutes he was on, completed 90% of his passing (27/30). Barco is catching the eye, just as Lavia is struggling.
Come Brentford next weekend, Barco really needs to be considered for a start. With Moises Caicedo and Jordan Henderson still in doubt for next weekend, a bit of energy is needed, and Barco provides that.
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