'Outstanding': Micah Richards names two Chelsea players who seriously impressed vs Man United

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Chelsea fans may have left Old Trafford slightly disappointed despite coming away with a point – a sign of the progress they are making under Enzo Maresca.

After 10 games played, Chelsea are fourth and more importantly, they've already managed to build an identity under Maresca's guidance.

They're far from the finished article, but Chelsea are now beginning to look more like a team rather than a collection of high quality and expensive individuals.

It's still bizarre to see the likes of Christopher Nkunku and Joao Felix regularly on the bench for Premier League games, but it's also hard to argue with Maresca's decisions.

That being said, with the return of Romeo Lavia in the middle, Chelsea's midfield three is also beginning to take shape for the long-term.

Romeo Lavia has helped Moises Caicedo find his confidence at Chelsea

Lavia has been paired with Moises Caicedo behind Cole Palmer, a partnership that impressed Micah Richards.

Speaking on 'The Rest is Football' podcast, Richards was left in awe of the pair in the 1-1 draw with United, noting that Maresca also had Enzo Fernandez on the bench too.

READ MORE: Frank Lampard and Paul Scholes agree on Cole Palmer's Chelsea performance at Manchester United

Richards: "I thought Caicedo was outstanding today, I thought he ran the midfield. I thought Lavia was good as well."

He continued: "I think he's found his confidence, Caicedo, that we saw at Brighton. And I think that has coincided with Lavia coming into the team as well.

"Looks like they've got a really good partnership and they've got Enzo to come off the bench as well.

"I think tactically, watching Maresca, and you'll know a little more than me, Gary, from his time at Leicester, but I really like what he does with his fullbacks, whether it be Gusto where it be Cucurela, where they sort of build up with a three and have a full back sorting playing the number 10 position.

"I thought Man United were there for the taking and Chelsea couldn't really do enough to get the second and third goal."

Kieran Dewsbury-Hall left out of Chelsea’s match day squad

As mentioned, Fernandez was on the bench for Chelsea as their midfield option away at Old Trafford.

However, with a host of centre-backs and attackers also on the sidelines for Chelsea, there was no space for Kieran Dewsbury-Hall.

Maresca was evidently behind the signing, and whilst the former Leicester City man appears to be prepared to wait for his chance whilst appearing in Europe, it might be a frustrating scenario.

With Lavia back fit, there's no real prospect of Dewsbury-Hall playing regularly, something which may become an issue in the longer-term.