Two right-backs in midfield - are Chelsea short despite £349m spent?
Chelsea ended Sunday's 2-1 defeat by champions Arsenal with two right-backs alongside each other in midfield - how did they get here?
Reece James, a former right-back who began his career in that position, failed to track Arsenal's Martin Odegaard during the latter's winning goal at the Emirates Stadium. Despite spending £349 million during the summer transfer window, Chelsea found themselves with two right-backs in midfield during their 2-1 defeat. Xabi Alonso, the Chelsea manager, believes James could become one of the best midfielders in the world, yet there are legitimate concerns about Chelsea's depth in that area.
Malo Gusto replaced Romeo Lavia in midfield during the second half, leading to lax marking and Odegaard's goal. Chelsea's bench also lacked creativity, leaving them short as Arsenal's substitutes helped secure the victory. Ashley Young, a BBC Sport commentator, expressed his concerns about the midfield situation, stating that teams will exploit the gaps and Chelsea will give up possession.
Jordan Henderson's absence due to a broken arm further complicates Chelsea's midfield options. Despite the setback, Alonso remains optimistic and believes Chelsea can cope with the midfield issues, especially with the club's star attackers still performing well. However, the absence of a midfielder on deadline day has left questions over Chelsea's decision-making.
Written by urgent.news from BBC Sport Football's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
