"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.
READ MORE: Chelsea's next Premier League fixtures compared to rivals Arsenal, Tottenham and Man United
That is now five large weaknesses of all of the options in midfield. This is largely the same position Tuchel came into 18-months ago at Chelsea. His response was to use a three man defence and the double-pivot to not only get the best out of Jorginho but also to shield Thiago Silva and utilise his wingbacks. As the transfer window approaches its climax, the same issues still exist.
From the outside Chelsea have a group of players no longer suited to the system. Although certain players such as Reece James, Raheem Sterling and Marc Cucurella - along with more key players - can move between a four man and three man set-up, the midfield isn't capable, largely down to missing a destroyer-type player. There's no breaker of attackers, no physical presence in-front of defence.
It's been an issue ever since Nemanja Matic left Stamford Bridge and it looks like the time of ball-playing style experimentation is over. If Tuchel wants to use a four man defence, the introduction of Wesley Fofana helps that, but it's tough to see a way they can effectively move on from the current midfield set-up without a new addition.
Even in the more recently used 4-2-2-2, a double-six is required and the Leicester performance showed that once again, Gallagher isn't suited to it and Jorginho needs the perfect partner. The centre of the pitch is an area that could be a fulcrum of Tuchel's future Chelsea, but it might have to wait a year.
Frenkie de Jong has been a target the club have pushed this summer but not only does he not provide the defensive foundation needed, he is happy to stay at Barcelona. With attacking reinforcements appearing nearer the top of the urgent in-pile for Boehly now, there isn't an expectation that somebody comes in during the last three days of the window.
If Tuchel wants to transition into a back four then he will either have to wait and possibly put his team at risk this season, or improvise.
Already in his squad perhaps the most natural two players that could fill the role are Kante and Jorginho. Both have done it previously, though neither have become favourites for Tuchel. Jorginho's role is more naturally a ball-retainer than a defensive stopper. He lacks the physicality and speed to effectively shut-down opponents and isn't the imposing character that Fabinho and Rodri offer.
Kante on the other hand does have the defensive acumen but, unlike the commonly compared figure of Claude Makelele, the Frenchman occupies a higher starting position in order to win the ball back higher up the pitch. He has been used on his own at the base of a 4-3-3 but Lampard had concerns over his ball-playing abilities. Considering Tuchel has not looked to Kante at all in this position it would be a surprise to change now, especially with the levels of performance he produces when he is fit.
Outside of that, there aren't any natural fits. Declan Rice is the main transfer target but his huge valuation has seen him fall down the list this summer, though next year when his contract enters its final year will likely see a big push to bring in the Englishman. Of the players that could pose as a makeshift alternative, Trevoh Chalobah could be an interesting experiment.
The defender is now expected to stay at Stamford Bridge this season despite the club agreeing to loan him out in order to continue his development, but his role in a back four that beat Leicester has meant that Tuchel once more will U-turn on the player and allow him to force a place in the squad.
If Chalobah wants to earn more minutes than maybe rediscovering the form he had in midfield for both Lorient and Huddersfield is a way into the side. During his two loan spells away he was often used at defensive midfield, playing nearly 100 matches there. Tuchel has also used him in that spot, sparingly though. Although it would be a massive transformation, Chalobah does suit the spot as physical midfielder more than others in the squad. With so much football to be played this season, he could be a valuable option.
One player that hasn't had the look in that Chalobah received is Ethan Ampadu. He is set to join Spezia on a season-long loan with an option to buy of just £15million. The tiny purchase option could all but secure his permanent move away from Stamford Bridge and in a time of defensive need, it's perhaps a shock that he has hardly been looked at by Tuchel in a match.
As a left-footed ball player from defence and midfield Ampadu has a full-season of league experience in the position as well as several exciting outings in cup matches for Chelsea in his early Blues career. Ampadu has barely seen the light of day under Tuchel despite two pre-seasons which either indicates that he can't impress him enough or that there's not enough room. It doesn't look like he will be an option for the season but given the need for a player like him, maybe it's a surprise not to have seen him there at least as an experiment.
Finally, another player who has failed to make much of an impression under Tuchel is Billy Gilmour. He would once again have to turn things around quickly to become part of the German manager's plans but given the 21-year-old's ability to play in a midfield two or three, occupying the base a ball-player or as part of a duo, he might have been afforded a chance to make his mark this season.
It is unlikely that Gilmour will be able to force his way in after not being offered a shirt number for the season and the Scot is reportedly a target for Brighton, though they wouldn't be able to loan him due to Levi Colwill already being on the south coast this season.
Tuchel has got options, though some do force creative selections where the manager has tended to be overly pragmatic, but if the current group can stay fit then they look the best bet. It's a big if, though.
READ NEXT:
Brendan Rodgers has set Luis Suarez example at Liverpool amid Wesley Fofana to Chelsea saga
Chelsea news and transfers LIVE: All the latest updates and rumours from Stamford Bridge Full Chelsea Premier League fixture list for 2022/23
Chelsea transfer business under the microscope in 'good deal' or 'bad deal'
Gary Lineker offers blunt Conor Gallagher red card verdict after Chelsea vs Leicester
