Former Chelsea defender William Gallas has claimed that Chelsea are still missing a true defensive midfielder in the middle, which is something that we have discussed on here as well recently.
We have a host of centre midfielders, but no specialist midfield destroyer. Moises Caicedo is the closest we have to that, being a player who can put a tackle in, break up play, and intercept. But he is also much more than that, and we have seen the benefits of him being able to play much more free and more advanced now when Romeo Lavia starts alongside him – this is where you get the best out of him.
So would Chelsea signing a new defensive midfielder be the answer? Gallas believes so.
Gallas said this week: “The problem is that Chelsea need a defensive midfielder to help Moises Caicedo more. 70% defending and 30% attacking which would make for a more balanced team. I don’t think Enzo Fernandez can play that role because he has other qualities.”
Enzo can’t, neither can Lavia really, and Caicedo as I said, is the best we have for that role. But does that role even suit and fit into Enzo Maresca’s style of play? Using two deeper centre midfielders seems to work much better.
I used to think we did need a defensive midfielder added to this squad only a few weeks, but I’m not entirely convinced because I think a good double pivot can work and be effective too. But our defence on the whole is just not good enough still and as I said yesterday, we do lack a spine still. Would you include a defensive midfielder in that spine? Let us know in the comments.
Obviously we all know that there are much more pressing priorities in this squad right now, mainly goalkeeper, centre back, and for me, a striker.
I always think about defensive midfielders more than most, maybe because it’s the position I play too! I think a top defensive midfielder can literally win you a game single-handedly and is just as important as a goalscorer or a creator.
Does a double pivot of Lavia and Caicedo provide you with enough defensive stability in midfield? That is the question.
Feel free to discuss and debate this in the comments too!