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WHEN Chelsea made the decision in the summer to Enzo Maresca as their new head coach there was some unrest amongst fans.The Italian coach was unpopular amongst Leicester supporters despite leading them to promotion back to the Premier League at the first attempt and he was still seen as a coach who lacked the experience required to be successful at the highest level.Moises Caicedo excelled in his new role as a makeshift right-backCredit: GettyCaicedo’s link-up play in possession and aggression out of possession allowed Cole Palmer (centre) to flourishCredit: AlamyEnzo Maresca was appointed with little fanfare but his tactical nous is starting to win Chelsea fans overCredit: GettyThis unrest was also due to the fact that the previous Chelsea coach, Mauricio Pochettino, had begun to impress towards the end of last season and many thought that he deserved more time.It is fair to say, however, that those fans who were unhappy with the appointment with Maresca at Stamford Bridge will be starting to change their minds.Not only do Chelsea currently sit third in the table, a huge improvement over the last two seasons, they are also playing some very impressive football under Maresca.The former Sevilla star was thought to be a disciple of the Pep Guardiola school of football and indeed he has spent time coaching in the City Group system.READ MORE CHELSEA NEWSAt Chelsea, however, he has very quickly shown himself to be more tactically flexible than expected and has created different tactical systems that are built to make the most of some of the specific talents that he has in his squad.This past weekend saw Chelsea overcome Aston Villa 3-0 in a comfortable victory. One of the most interesting aspects of the game was the fact that Maresca chose to use £115m midfielder Moises Caicedo as a right-back, although one that regularly inverted into the midfield.This positional change for Caicedo was a masterstroke and saw him run things for Chelsea when he came into the midfield to provide an overload and create space further forward for more attacking teammates.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSIt is this space that will be key for Chelsea and Maresca.This is because this space it can be exploited by Cole Palmer, who has emerged into one of the most dangerous attacking midfielders in the game today.Chelsea player ratings vs Aston Villa article (1)By getting Palmer on the ball in space in more advanced positions, we are likely to see Chelsea become more dominant against opposition teams both in terms of creating and scoring chances.Palmer is the key for Chelsea and, as such, creating space for him is incredibly important.Here’s how Caicedo’s positional change transformed things for the Blues and bamboozled Aston Villa.CAICEDO CREATED SPACE FOR PALMERIn this match both teams set up with slightly different shapes but three men in the midfield.Chelsea played in a 4-3-3 and Aston Villa in a 4-2-3-1 and, as such, they were equally matched centrally.Here, the movement and positioning from Caicedo from right-back into midfield when Chelsea were in possession was key.This movement created a 4v3 advantage for Chelsea and freed up space that Cole Palmer could move into.By creating this overload, Caicedo essentially released Palmer, Chelsea’s most dangerous attacking player this season.The movement and positioning from the England star ended up creating continuous problems for the opposition as the Blues drove forward.Caicedo’s positioning helped give Palmer the freedom of the final thirdBy moving inside into these positions we saw Caicedo taking possession in and around the final third. The movement to enter into spaces and get on the ball saw him given time on the ball and his ability to pass and break lines released the runs of Palmer into space.Chelsea were able continuously in this game to overload the central areas of the pitch and to draw the Aston Villa midfielders towards the ball.This meant that Palmer was free to move into space between the Villa midfield and their defensive line.In these situations, we saw Chelsea look to play first into the midfield, where Caicedo and Lavia could gain possession, and then quickly force the ball through to Palmer.Caicedo was able to win the battle in a congested midfield area, freeing up PalmerHere we see the way that the central areas get congested with a lot of players congregating around the ball. Caicedo is able to get on the ball and force the ball through to Palmer who can then turn and drive forward in possession.It is interesting that Maresca was able to create these situations with Caicedo moving inside to make the space that Palmer could exploit.Indeed, creating tactical solutions that free up your most dangerous attacking players in this way is a sign that Maresca is a very capable tactical coach.OVERLOADING THE MIDFIELD AND HOW THAT FREES UP PALMERDuring the Aston Villa game, Maresca employed a 4-3-3 with Romeo Lavia sitting as the deepest midfielder behind Enzo Fernandez and Cole Palmer as more advanced midfielders.Moving Palmer inside from his position on the right-wing would prove to be one of the keys to Chelsea’s victory as the match went on.With Moises Caicedo, most often used as a deeper central midfielder, playing at right-back we saw Maresca create an opportunity to have the Ecuadorian come inside when Chelsea were in possession to give them an overload in the centre of the pitch.Throughout this game, we saw Caicedo move inside to form a double pivot with Lavia in central areas and from these positions Chelsea were able to control and dominate the flow of the game. The timing of Caicedo when coming inside to create passing angles allowed Chelsea to routinely and easily play through the press from Aston Villa.The timing of Caicedo’s runs allowed Chelsea to easily play through the Aston Villa pressHere, we see Caicedo coming inside early in the game as Chelsea were building from the back. His timing to arrive in a pocket of space allows him to receive the ball from the central defender and his ability to open out in possession to drive forwards allows him to move quickly into space.When Caicedo came inside in possession we did, of course, see him actively allow Chelsea to move the ball into the middle third.But it was his ability once he received the ball in these situations that really made the difference.When coming into possession centrally, Caicedo was generally able to lose markers and step forwards to progress the ball or to play more progressive passes that broke the lines and moved Chelsea into the final third.This movement to receive the ball and ability to take the ball and progress the play himself saw Caicedo act as, essentially, the key in the Chelsea system. While Fernandez and Palmer were able to push forward, we saw Caicedo and Lavia come together to provide the platform for the Chelsea attack.Caicedo’s positional sense as a midfielder allowed him to create passing opportunities even for players on the left like Marc CucurellaOnce again here we see the key role that Caicedo played for Chelsea in terms of ball progression. With Marc Cucurella in possession of the ball at left-back it is Caicedo who crashes towards the ball to receive the pass between lines and allow the press to be broken.In having Caicedo start from right-back and then time his movements inside to receive passes and play forward we saw Maresca create the structure to really dominate the game.OUT OF POSSESSIONDespite being more naturally a central midfielder, Caicedo is a player who is very strong from a defensive perspective.He typically plays as the deeper midfielder in a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 and his positioning and movement defensively is effective in terms of breaking up opposition attacks.Indeed, it was his defensive ability and ability to cover ground and be effective against the ball that really stood out when he was initially coming through in the English game at Brighton and Hove Albion.This meant that when he moved out to right-back for this game we saw Caicedo play effectively in defensive moments as he covered a great deal of space on the right-side of the defensive unit for Chelsea.He was aggressive and intelligent with his positioning, although the way that he played defensively was not the same way that we would typically see from a right-back.He was more narrow typically and willing to be aggressive in stepping out and defending over longer distances than a typical right-back.Caicedo was quick to put pressure on opponents out of possessionIn this example we can see that Aston Villa were more narrow in their defensive shape. This meant that Caicedo was relatively narrow but quick to move out to engage the ball and put pressure on the opposition player that was looking to receive the ball.It was interesting in this match that for large parts of the game Chelsea were very aggressive against the ball as they looked to press high and stop Aston Villa from being able to play out comfortably from the back.They were able to be so aggressive defensively because at the base of the midfield Romeo Lavia, and Moises Caicedo from the right-side, were so comfortable in terms of defending in large areas of space.Chelsea were aggressive in preventing Aston Villa from playing out from the backIn this example from the match we see how aggressive Chelsea are in terms of pushing players forward and into advanced areas in order to pin Aston Villa in and prevent them from being able to comfortably play out from the back.As the goalkeeper for Villa does play longer it is Caicedo who is quick and aggressive in terms of jumping and engaging over a longer distance to regain possession.The aggression and positional intelligence that Caicedo showed in this game when playing as the right-back was key for Chelsea in terms of how they set up against the ball.CONCLUSIONREAD MORE SUN STORIESIt will be interesting to see whether Maresca continues to use Caicedo in this role now that it has proved successful and whether it can continue to work to create space and time for Palmer to thrive.There is no doubt, however, that from what we have seen so far this season, Maresca belongs at the highest level of coaching. 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ROMEO LAVIA left Southampton with bags of potential and returns having realised it in rapid time.The Belgian, and Chelsea, may have had to wait a year due to injury but now he is fit there is no question that the youngster is firing.Romeo Lavia has thrived at Chelsea this season following an injury-hit 2023-24 campaignCredit: GettyLavia made just one appearance last season but now finds himself regularly playing under the guidance of Enzo MarescaCredit: GettyIn just eight Premier League appearances for the Blues this season, there are few in west London who are in doubt about just how far their new midfield metronome could go.Everyone at Southampton, who signed the midfielder from Manchester City in 2022, knew they had a talent on their hands who may not be around long.In fact, if Chelsea had got their way he would only have been at St. Mary’s for a matter of weeks – with the Blues seeing a £50million bid rejected less than three months after he had joined Saints.They got their man a year later and, after another season of injury frustration during which Lavia managed just 32 minutes of football, are now reaping the rewards.READ MORE ON CHELSEAChelsea’s £206m midfield duo of Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez drastically under-performed last season, looking lost at times.But the introduction of Lavia, and his ability to stay fit, has settled them and provided the platform for both to shine.Initially Fernandez was forced out of the side in favour of Lavia but has returned in recent weeks and has two goals in as many games.All three of Lavia, Caicedo and Fernandez started together as Chelsea swept Aston Villa aside on Sunday, though Enzo Maresca had dropped the 20-year-old for the game at Leicester beforehand.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSLavia outstrips both of his teammates when it comes to passing accuracyA challenge to show there is still more to come.He said: “I trust him for sure, but he didn’t play at Leicester away, so two games ago he was on the bench.Chelsea player ratings vs Aston Villa article (1)”I said then just because he was on the bench it doesn’t mean he is not doing well, it was because the game plan changed for that game. We are completely happy about Romeo.”Romeo is doing very good with us but because I know him very well he can do much better.”He is a top player but he is only 20 and still has to improve on many things.”Lavia outstrips both of his teammates when it comes to passing accuracy, including in the opposition half, and interceptions.The former Man City man has always considered himself best as a holding midfielder and that solid foundation gives any partner alongside him the confidence to push on.Teammates at Southampton quickly realised that, despite being 18, Lavia’s vision and understanding of the game matched up to those with hundreds of Premier League appearances.Senior figures training alongside him noted how eager he was to learn, looking to pick the brains of anyone he could borrow from.And that is some cast list for such a short career, starting with Pep Guardiola, Kevin de Bruyne and Rodri in Manchester, where he also first met Maresca working in the academy.The talent has always been there, but being able to display it had been a challenge until now.The midfielder has impressed so far this seasonAs well as playing in a relegation side at Southampton, injury problems were a constant on the south coast.Theo Walcott, who played alongside him, revealed after his move to Chelsea that he “trained too much” for a young player, while Lavia has admitted that it took him time to understand his body.Speaking to SunSport in the summer, Lavia said: “You’re young and you want to play.”You’re getting to know your body as well, which is sometimes unfair because you feel like you’re doing everything right to get back but nature sometimes decides in a different way.”It was just about understanding that and growing as a person. It was frustrating but it was more in the head, and now it has helped me.”READ MORE SUN STORIESDuring that time Lavia leaned on compatriot and Chelsea great Eden Hazard for advice, while also trying to stay as close and connected to his new teammates at their Cobham training base even though he could not join in the sessions.For someone who sees themselves as a leader within any group, it was a challenging year but one which, undoubtedly, will have long term benefits.Chelsea ratings vs Aston Villa as Cole Palmer adds to his ridiculous Stamford Bridge tallyCHELSEA moved to joint-second in the Premier League table with a resounding 3-0 win over Aston Villa.Goals from Nicolas Jackson, Enzo Fernandez and Cole Palmer saw the Blues make light work of their opponents at Stamford Bridge.Here, SunSport’s Katherine Walsh delivers her Chelsea player ratings…Robert Sanchez – 6Kept Ollie Watkins at bay on two occasions in the first-half, which was welcome after questions were raised over his place as first-choice goalkeeper.Moises Caicedo – 6Rare start from right-back in the absence of Reece James, but was solid in an inverted role as Chelsea grew in confidence.Steps into challenges nicely at just the right time, and is becoming a dependable figure for the Blues.Wesley Fofana – 4Some uncomfortable moments for Fofana amid his battles with Watkins.Was subbed off inside the hour mark after seemingly twisting his ankle as he treaded on the ball while tussling the Villa frontman.Levi Colwill – 6Would have been lower before he cleared Ross Barkley’s blistering header over the bar from a corner.Went down easy when defending Watkins in the second-half, could’ve cost his side some chances against better opposition.Marc Cucurella – 7Chelsea’s most creative full-back won the ball high-up to set up Jackon’s opener.Put the defensive work in aswell after having Jaden Philogene’s number the whole game.Romeo Lavia – 6Another impressive midfield performance from the Belgian, who shows prowess beyond his years on and off the ball.Seems the perfect pivot partner for Fernandez when Caicedo isn’t in the middle, and people need to start talking about how Manchester City let him go for peanuts.Enzo Fernandez (c) – 7His best goal in a Chelsea shirt this calender year with a slick volley past his Argentina team-mate Emi Martinez from the edge of the box.The Chelsea captain set himself up after playing a lovely one-two with Palmer and was involved creatively throughout.Pedro Neto – 6Didn’t get on the ball enough compared to his fellow forward team-mates.Lovely drop of the shoulder after Fofana was subbed off but a pretty quiet afternoon in comparison to Chelsea’s other attackers.Cole Palmer – 8Out of form? Nonsense. He’d been on the edges of it at times. But made one and scored an absolute screamer. You cannot keep a good man down.Only Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has netted 30 goals at Stamford Bridge in fewer games.Linked up well with Sancho and Fernandez and assisted the Argentine’s volley. The England star was a constant threat while charging at Robin Olsen’s goal in the second-half.Jadon Sancho – 6Full of confidence and a constant threat in a high wing-back role this afternoon.Could’ve won his side a penalty but stayed on his feet inside 30 minutes.Still not quite there in the final third, though, as he was replaced by Madueke midway through the second half.Nicolas Jackson – 7A poacher’s finish opened the scoring inside seven minutes – his eighth in the league this season.A wonderful goal saw him get his foot round to volley in off the post with his weaker peg after Cucurella’s cross awkwardly deflected off Matty Cash.Tangled with Martinez, who was replaced by Olsen at half-time.SUBSBenoit Badiashile (60’ for Fofana) – 6Nothing too dramatic from the towering centre-back after replacing the injured Fofana.Noni Madueke (70’ for Sancho) – 4Booked for simulation in the final five minutes. Unnecessary.Christopher Nkunku (70′ for Jackson) – 5Great cross for what should’ve been Chelsea’s third as Palmer and Madueke got mixed up in the 77th minute.Joao Felix – (86′ for Palmer) – 3Missed a sitter at the death after Madueke’s shot was kept out. Also booked within three minutes of coming on for a lunge on Tielemans. More