How Chelsea Could Line Up After Beating Liverpool to Caicedo and Lavia

• Chelsea have announced a British record transfer of Moises Caicedo for £115m
• The Blues have also beaten Liverpool to an agreement with Southampton for Romeo Lavia
• Mauricio Pochettino has a midfield of young talents and must now find a suitable system

Chelsea boasts an impressive midfield of young talents after adding Moises Caicedo from Brighton and Romeo Lavia from Southampton, with the latter subject to medicals and an official announcement.

The Blues beat rivals, Liverpool, to both players after many twists and turns in what was a crazy saga in the midst of a highly contested opening game between them this past weekend.

Mauricio Pochettino's men were the better side. They were unlucky not to walk away with a win, at the same time, lucky not to have conceded two penalties after handballs from Nicolas Jackson and Ian Maatsen.

Pochettino leaks Chelsea XI and drops another hint ahead of season opener against Liverpool

Football

Their next trip is an away trip across London to play West Ham in the derby, and we could see a debut for Caicedo and Lavia, possibly, if his transfer is registered before noon on Friday.

How Chelsea could line up

Pochettino lined Chelsea up in a 4-2-3-1 for the game against Liverpool, and it appeared as he changed to a 3-5-2 when he saw Liverpool's team, but he clarified to Football London after the game that it was only a personnel change which saw Axel Disasi replace Mykhailo Mudryk, and the defender scored.

The Argentine manager said during pre-season he favoured the 4-2-3-1 formation and used it in most of the friendly games, and with two new midfielders and the injury to Christopher Nkunku, it could be time to go 4-3-3.

Caicedo is expected to slot in defensive midfield to provide freedom for Enzo Fernandez, who showed what he can do with the ball when allowed to roam, despite cover from Conor Gallagher, who isn't a traditional DM.

5 Arsenal star who could replace injured Gabriel Jesus ahead of Man City tie

Football

All three of Caicedo, Lavia and Enzo can line up in midfield in a 4-3-3, with the Argentine joining in the attack while his partners share defensive duties.

Robert Sanchez is the new number 1 after the loan departure of Kepa Arrizabalaga. Poch has a headache in defence after Disasi and Levi Colwill impressed on their debut. Thiago Silva is undroppable despite turning 39 next month, while a fit Reece James and Ben Chilwell also get the nod.

Predicted lineup vs West Ham (4-2-3-1): Sanchez - James, Thiago Silva, Colwill, Chilwell - Caicedo, Enzo - Mudryk, Chukwuemeka, Sterling - Jackson.

Hazard's influence on Lavia's move

Sports Brief analysed how Eden Hazard helped Chelsea sign Lavia after speaking to his compatriot about the club and life in London, easing his decision to ditch Liverpool.

Hazard was at Stamford Bridge on Sunday for the 1-1 draw between the two sides, while it was speculated that the 19-year-old midfielder had been in London for some time too.