da poker： Just two games into the new season and Antonio Conte has already been forced to put one of his key defenders in central midfield, such is Chelsea’s limited depth in the middle of the park.
da brwin： The Blues only have three out-and-out central midfielders in their first-team squad – Cesc Fabregas, Tiemoue Bakayoko and N’Golo Kante – and with the former suspended, Conte pushed David Luiz into the engine room against Tottenham last Sunday.
Of course, the somewhat forced decision paid off as Chelsea claimed a 2-1 win at Wembley Stadium, but it could have backfired spectacularly.
And rather puzzlingly, Conte could have another central midfielder at his disposal this season in the form of Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who was loaned out to Crystal Palace in July.
The 6 foot 3 starlet has made a fine start to his Eagles career, producing a superb performance at Anfield last Saturday, so we asked Chelsea supporters earlier this week whether it was a mistake to send him out on loan.
And although most Blues fans who took part in our poll voted in favour of the move, it’s rather telling that 44% didn’t. Clearly, a significant section of the Stamford Bridge faithful believe Loftus-Cheek should be at Conte’s disposal this season.