Chelsea's need for a new midfielder was apparent last summer. It was still evident in January. Even with the addition of Enzo Fernandez over the winter there was something missing, and heading into the next transfer window it could be more evident.
Despite bringing in young talent in the position, mixing it with experience of World Cup and European Championship winning excellence and also giving three managers the freedom to shape the team, no balance has been found. For the seventh time since 2017, Chelsea are trying to find their next answer to Nemanja Matic.
When he was sold after helping to win the title earlier that year, little was it thought that Tiemoue Bakayoko would be loaned out four times, covering five seasons, and no answer to the defensive midfield position would be found. Since the Frenchman arrived from Monaco no true player in that style has been signed permanently.
