Thomas Tuchel has established a watertight defensive game since taking charge of Chelsea in January 2020.
The Blues have developed into a complete outfit under his tutelage, but their ability to keep clean sheets on a regular basis has been central to their biggest victories.
This summer, Tuchel could be about to lose three of his defenders due to expiring contracts, with Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta tipped for moves away from Stamford Bridge.
Considering the German coach has favoured a back three system since replacing Frank Lampard in the managerial hot seat, losing Rudiger and Christensen could be a problem especially, as he needs a wealth of defenders at his disposal.
It is reasonable to suggest that Chelsea would commonly use the transfer market to sign replacements for Rudiger and Christensen, but Tuchel could already have a solution within his squad.
Against Luton Town on Wednesday evening, Ruben Loftus-Cheek was deployed as a centre-back. Tuchel fielded him in the centre of his back three, between Malang Sarr and Rudiger.
Due to his midfield roots, Loftus-Cheek is better on the ball than most defenders and with Chelsea able to dominate possession against Luton, he was presented with a platform to exhibit what he's good at.
Throughout the contest, Loftus-Cheek showcased his ball-playing ability in particular, with his passing network pictured below.
The academy graduate even managed to register an assist on the 67th minute. He assumed possession in the middle of the park and played a floated pass over the top of Luton's defence and into the feet of Timo Werner, who found the net.
Still just 26 years old, Loftus-Cheek is English and homegrown which is helpful given the implications of Brexit on the transfer market, and he's physically suited to performing as a centre-back, standing around 6ft 3in.
He could be a shrewd outside the box option for Tuchel to consider. Loftus-Cheek's quality has always been obvious, but he's never truly established himself as a regular starter at the Bridge.
Moving forward, he could become an option as a centre-back and save Chelsea millions in the transfer market.
