Chelsea are looking for a replacement for Caicedo ahead of the Burnley match.

Caicedo will miss the Burnley game, forcing Enzo Maresca to find an immediate solution for the defensive midfield position. With Romeo Lavia only able to return in December at the earliest and Dario Essugo waiting until the new year, the rotation issue becomes even more urgent.

Moises Caicedo's role this season has been irreplaceable: the £115 million signing is Chelsea's engine, contributing from the back, shielding the defense, and controlling the pace of the game. He also leads the team in tackles and touches, and has scored four goals in all competitions. However, Caicedo is being overloaded, to the point that Maresca has confirmed he is one of the players "unable to train every day".

Enzo Fernandez: experience at the bottom of the system

The safest option lies with Enzo Fernandez. When playing deeper, the Argentinian midfielder can maintain the quality of ball circulation through his through passes and create chances from his own half. This is a way to partially recreate the rhythm of play when Caicedo is absent, especially in periods where Chelsea need to control the game to maintain possession.

The risk is that The Blues will lose their attacking threat from midfield – an area that previously provided Fernandez with goals against West Ham or Brighton. Furthermore, he is managing a knee injury and also needs to reduce his workload. The return of Cole Palmer could compensate for the lack of creativity if Fernandez has to play deeper, but this is still only a temporary solution in terms of operational volume.

Andrey Santos: energy, tackling ability, but still inexperienced.

Andrey Santos was tested as a replacement for Caicedo in matches against Palmeiras (Club World Cup) and Lincoln (Carabao Cup). The Brazilian midfielder's strengths were his tackling ability, direct challenges, and creating physical contact in midfield. However, his disciplinary statistics serve as a warning: 5 yellow cards in just 15 matches, indicating that experience and judgment still need improvement as he enters the intensity of the Premier League.

With Santos, Maresca could "break down" his playing time: using him during low-pressure moments, when Chelsea had the advantage and prioritized maintaining the tempo, closing down spaces in front of the back four instead of having to cover the entire area like Caicedo.

Reece James: A surprise addition to the midfield.

Reece James tried his hand at midfield in the 1-0 win against Tottenham earlier this month and left a positive impression. James' strengths include long passing for transitions, the ability to escape pressing, and strength in one-on-one challenges. Playing in the center also helps him avoid long runs like on the right flank, reducing the risk of recurring injuries.

In terms of personnel structure, Chelsea could fill the right flank with players like Malo Gusto, Wesley Fofana, or Josh Acheampong, paving the way for the 1999-born captain to feature in midfield. The main challenge lies in the rhythm of central defense – which demands a much greater range of body rotation and control than the flanks, especially when opponents exploit the space between the lines.

The tactical picture against Burnley

Maresca faces three clear paths: play it safe with Fernandez, develop with Santos, or be flexible with James. Whichever option he chooses, the short-term goal remains maintaining the rotation and central defensive coverage – two tasks Caicedo excels at. Given the demanding schedule and depleted squad, managing workload is just as crucial as tactical choices.

The rest is a matter of execution: Fernandez, dropping deep, needs creative anchors up front; Santos needs a solid back line to reduce pressure on his ball-handling; James needs a spatial "shield" when the team loses possession. Chelsea have a plan, but its effectiveness will depend on how Maresca fits the pieces together to suit the rhythm of the game.

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