Chelsea squad SWOT analysis: Sizing up the Blues’ four lines

Midfield: N’Golo Kante + Jorginho + (options)

Maurizio Sarri’s system calls for three midfielders: one in the centre overseeing things, and one on each sides pushing up to create overloads on the flanks. Jorginho played the role of the central midfielder for Sarri at Napoli, but things will likely shift around a bit.

With N’Golo Kante and Jorginho, Chelsea have real quality and a solid base in the middle of the park. Kante is one of the best defensive midfielders in the world, and Jorginho an excellent passer and tempo-setter. Kante and Jorginho will be the base giving the third midfielder a lot of room to attack and influence things just behind the centre forward.

The third midfielder could be Cesc Fabregas or Ross Barkley, as both have an eye for a pass as well as the goal. Fabregas is certainly the better passer of the two, but whether he can still compete with the physicality of the Premier League is questionable.

Chelsea fans would love to see Ruben Loftus -Cheek have a run in the squad, as he can dominate games with his physicality if given the right direction. He can dribble, pass and shoot from distance (something Chelsea midfielders have n’ot done for a long time ). Loftus-Cheek had a good run in the World cup and could break into the starting XI.

Attack: Help wanted (and needed)

The front three right now seems to be Eden Hazard – Alvaro Morata – Willian, and all three of them have been linked to a move away. Hazard’s situation is still pretty unclear after Chelsea rejected two bids from Real Madrid worth £150 and £170 million. Chelsea have made it clear Hazard is not for sale, but if he doesn’t sign a new contract in the next year they would be forced to sell him on the cheap with his contract running out in 2020.

Hazard’s links to Real Madrid have never gone away in the past 3-4 years, but have accelerated this year. With the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo and Hazard’s amazing performances in the World Cup, Real Madrid see him as the ideal signing. Hazard has openly agreed he would not mind moving to Madrid, and has said it is all in the hands of Chelsea board.

Alvaro Morata has been linked with a move to AC Milan with Gianluigi Donnarumma moving in the opposite direction, but that looks very vague with no strength to it. Morata, Olivier Giroud and Michy Batshuayi are all very capable. Sarri’s possession-based high-pressing style would suit Morata best as he often gets in great scoring positions. He just needs to work on his finishing and he could be back to his deadly best.

Chelsea have rejected three bids from Barcelona worth £50, 55 and 65 million each for Willian. This is as stupid as it looks. Sure, he is a good winger with an excellent work rate and ball-carrying skills. Willian can be world-class on one day and bench-worthy the very next day. His creativity and directness is amazing, but he is pretty wasteful with chances in the same place.

Chelsea rejecting that much money for a 30-year old is pretty absurd. They could sell him and invest in a much younger Anthony Martial, who has a much higher ceiling. Martial is a great dribbler and finisher, essential in Sarri’s front three. Apart from Martial, Chelsea could also go for the cheaper Leon Bailey.

Malcolm could have been an option but Barcelona were quick to snap him up, ending their pursuit of Willian. Pedro’s decline in the last season was very dismal to see. He is already in his 30’s and Chelsea should soon look to buy a winger.

Callum Hudson-Odoi has been very exciting to watch whenever he has played, but he is still 17 and should have more time to develop. Giroud has been linked to Atletico Madrid on a loan deal, but reports suggest Chelsea want an obligation-to-buy clause in it. This may have blocked the deal from going through.

Chelsea have been strongly linked with Gonzalo Higuain for £56 million with Juventus looking to clear their books. But Higuain is already in his 30’s. Paying such a huge fee for a 31-year old doesn’t seem right. If they are to buy a forward, they should move for Mauro Icardi, who has proved himself to be on the best in the business.

If the current lot stays and there are no departures, Chelsea could be looking at a lot of positives, as the midfield especially looks splendid. But Eden Hazard’s and Thibaut Courtois’s situation should be dealt with soon.

Chelsea should snap up Daniele Rugani before any other club looks to hijack the deal, and sign a new winger with equal urgency.