"Another midfielder? We have Jorginho, N'Golo Kante, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Conor Gallagher, Mateo Kovacic," said Thomas Tuchel after Chelsea's midfield was completely overrun and outgunned by Leeds United last week.
It was a strange quote to hear and even stranger to digest. The logic is clearly there. The numbers do add up and the Blues effectively have five players competing for two positions, meanwhile Carney Chukwuemeka is also in a first team position as well, though that might yet change.
However, when considering that Jorginho and Kante are both over 30 and Kovacic played less league matches than the Frenchman last season due to a string of injuries, there are serious flaws for Chelsea's main trio in the centre of the park. Gallagher is now suspended and has had a torrid time in the double-six, something which shouldn't come as a surprise given his characteristics don't fit the position and a lack of experience playing the role too. Meanwhile Loftus-Cheek is in limbo between wing-back, midfield - though he also doesn't suit the double-six naturally - and general squad player.
