Chelsea: Maurizio Sarri choosing from three midfielders for one open spot

Ross Barkley started both Premier League games for Chelsea, but the conundrum of the third midfielder prevailers. Sarri has the blessing and the curse of three talented midfielders fighting for the one open spot.

Feelings around Stamford Bridge have been mostly positive over the first two matchweeks of the season. The Blues defeated Huddersfield away and arch-rivals Arsenal at home while adapting to their new coach and his style. Chelsea have been very dominant in possession in both games: more than 60% possession signifying a big shift in style and gameplay. Chelsea dictate the tempo of the game and play in their opponent’s half.

The defence is still a bit (a lot) shaky. The amount of space Arsenal found in the final 15 minutes of the first half was shocking. Arsenal could have scored four goals in that time. On the positive side, Marcos Alonso proved against Arsenal he does not deserve to be the scapegoat. People blame him for his apparent lack of pace, but he managed to keep Hector Bellerin – one of the fastest full-backs in the world – in check for most of the game. Alonso is also arguably the best wing-back going forward in the Premier League.

The midfield looks pretty solid and was more effective going forward against Arsenal than against Huddersfield. And this is where Maurizio Sarri has the kind of decisions managers like to face.

Ross Barkley: Incumbent, for now

Ross Barkley started both Premier League games. In the opener, Huddersfield did not threaten much, requiring veryl ittle defensive work from the midfielders. Barkley was not very effective against Huddersfield because he could not really adapt to the dynamics of his position. He was supposed to move into the half-spaces, but instead he dropped back every time Jorginho looked for a vertical pass.

Barkley was better in the Arsenal game and was one of the best players going forward. He made those runs from deep and gave Chelsea an extra option through the middle. He had a good game and could have scored if Petr Cech had not denied him with a great save.

His defensive output cannot really be judged because none of the midfielders effectively tracked their men in the box. He has to do better defensively with his marker. This was a very evident weak point that needs to be and will be sorted out by Sarri.

Mateo Kovacic: Quick challenger

Chelsea brought in Mateo Kovacic on loan on deadline day, without him having any pre-season. He reached the final of the World Cup with Croatia and did not train with the Real Madrid squad as he looked for a move. He did not make the matchday squad against Huddersfield but was named amongst the substitutes against Arsenal.

He came on for Ross Barkley at the hour mark and his presence showed. It was an instant upgrade defensively as Arsenal hardly had any real chances except for one Aaron Ramsey shot. Kovacic’s one-touch passing and link-up play with Eden Hazard and Jorginho was very pleasing. He got into the half-spaces time and again, and supported Hazard on the left so the Belgian could play freely on the attack.

Kovacic could start next week against Newcastle, and this will be a clear indication of Maurizio Sarri’s thinking going forward.

Ruben Loftus Cheek: Hard road is now harder

Ruben Loftus-Cheek was on the bench against Huddersfield, where he made an appearance and had a solid half an hour. He did nothing spectacular, really, but has a serviceable outing. He adds good steel in the midfield with his height and pace.

This led to disappointment against Arsenal, as he wasn’t even on the bench at Stamford Bridge. Loftus-Cheek turned down a few good loan moves because he wanted to fight for his place in the squad. Sarri, in his press conference, said it was a “tactical decision” as he preferred to have two wingers on the bench rather than two midfielders.

Loftus-Cheek will probably see game time in the cup matches and in the Europa League (the early stages at least). He needs these minutes because he showed last season with Crystal Palace and in the World Cup he can be a solid midfielder and has great potential.

By the looks of it, though, Sarri does not rate him quite highly, but he certainly deserves his chance in the squad.

Chelsea have three top shelf midfielders, and any one of them can support N’Golo Kante and Jorginho quite well. Ruben Loftus Cheek is young and deserves game time having rejected loan moves away from Chelsea. But Mateo Kovacic will probably be the regular starter in the Premier League as soon as he gets match fit.

This will leave Ross Barkley and Loftus-Cheek to fight for their place on the bench, and the starting XI of Chelsea’s cup games.