Chelsea's midfield woes could be eased up before they know it. Despite being without Denis Zakaria due to injury and Jorginho's role in the side long-term seemingly untenable, Graham Potter has had to knit together a partnership without his most important weapon.
In recent weeks it has been Conor Gallagher's turn to deputise in the middle of the park, offering energy levels comparable to N'Golo Kante but without the discipline or tactical nous. The 22-year-old's fit in a two-man midfield has been questioned but his performances against Liverpool and Crystal Palace were impressive, even if it would be hard to pin down exactly what his role was.
In the long-term there are also remaining doubts over the fitness of Mateo Kovacic - whose deal expires in 2024 - and also the general makeup of the squad. The midfield has been massively neglected in recent years with no permanent signing since 2018.
