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Chelsea’s midfield makeup is going to marginalize and magnify

By Travis Tyler

Chelsea's German midfielder Kai Havertz is congratulated by Chelsea's English midfielder Mason Mount after scoring during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Southampton at Stamford Bridge in London on October 17, 2020. (Photo by Mike Hewitt / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by MIKE HEWITT/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Chelsea's German midfielder Kai Havertz is congratulated by Chelsea's English midfielder Mason Mount after scoring during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Southampton at Stamford Bridge in London on October 17, 2020. (Photo by Mike Hewitt / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by MIKE HEWITT/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 26: Mason Mount of Chelsea battles for possession with Diogo Jota of Wolverhampton Wanderers during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Stamford Bridge on July 26, 2020 in London, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Daniel Leal-Olivas/Pool via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 26: Mason Mount of Chelsea battles for possession with Diogo Jota of Wolverhampton Wanderers during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Stamford Bridge on July 26, 2020 in London, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Daniel Leal-Olivas/Pool via Getty Images) /

3. The engine and the counterbalance

If the holding midfielder is the most important, they are followed closely by the counterbalance in the dual eight. While the tip of the spear is shifting around constantly with Ziyech, their opposite eight needs to be more restrained. Not only will midfield become wide open if they push too far forward, but they will also often find themselves behind the more attacking of the two wingers. Timo Werner and Christian Pulisic are great for goals, but tracking back is not necessarily the best use of either even if they are willing.

That is why this midfielder needs to be more cautious. They will still get forward, but not at the expense of exposing the holding midfielder or the flank too much.

Mason Mount is ideal for this role. Not only does he have the second best engine in the entire squad, but he is tidy on the ball when he isn’t trying to force a final ball into the box. His sense of positioning on and off the ball in regards to his teammates is also one of the best in the squad. It is no wonder why Gareth Southgate was willing to play in as a center midfielder in a 3-4-3.

The closest equal to Mount’s role in a 4-2-3-1 was the glue player that connected the more defensive midfielder of the pivot (now the holding midfielder) to the more offensive 10 ahead of them (now the tip of the spear on the other side of the midfield). Mateo Kovacic excelled at this and though 4-3-3 is a rougher fit for him, he can do so again in the shape after a few games practice. Again, Gilmour is an option for the role as he develops further, as will Gallagher be should he be given a chance when his loan ends.

The pursuit of Rice and the future inclusion of Ampadu may see Kante take this role up in the future as well. For whatever reason, Lampard seems insistent that Kante should be played higher up. While that allows him to press more (a big reason why Mount is performing in the role), it remains to be seen if that is something he can continue to do long term.

Similar to Kante being more suited to a deeper role long term, this may be a way for Loftus-Cheek to find his way back in. If his legs just aren’t the same anymore and no longer suited to attacking, he might be able to position deeper and create/destroy next to the holding midfielder. That would take some adjustments from him however.

Next. Reasons why Chelsea can win the Premier League this season. dark

Again, there really are no players linked to this role because Chelsea seemingly has it covered no matter the eventuality. The only player that truly needs to be brought in is a holding midfielder, either to start or for depth. With that, Havertz and company leading the charge, and Mount and company gluing it all together, Chelsea’s midfield will be complete and capable of competing on all fronts in the future.

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