Chelsea into the depths part four: A healthy heart in midfield

Chelsea's Italian midfielder Jorginho (2nd L) celebrates scoring his team's second goal with Chelsea's English midfielder Mason Mount (L) during the English Premier League football match between Sheffield United and Chelsea at Bramall Lane in Sheffield, northern England on February 7, 2021. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / 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 OLI SCARFF/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

2 of 4

Chelsea’s Italian midfielder Jorginho (L) and Chelsea’s Croatian midfielder Mateo Kovacic celebrate after winning the UEFA Champions League final football match between Manchester City and Chelsea FC at the Dragao stadium in Porto on May 29, 2021. (Photo by Jose Coelho / POOL / AFP) (Photo by JOSE COELHO/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

2. Jorginho

If Kante is unable to move past his injury concerns, minor or not, then Jorginho steps up as the first name on the team sheet in midfield. His career (overall and at Chelsea) has been a steady rise. Some will claim that it is a result of fans coming to understand the player. At Chelsea at least, it is more of a result of managers figuring out how to better shield and support the Italian.

And, when properly shielded and supported, Jorginho can reach the heights that he has this season. Unless Kante can sort out his fitness and stay in high form, Jorginho has a free run to the Ballon d’Or. He’s relatively injury free and, though he’s not a physical specimen, his endurance is top notch and he can play almost every game.

So long as Tuchel remains at Chelsea, Jorginho is likely to flourish and the combination of him and Kante remains the go to pair as things stand.

3. Mateo Kovacic

Kovacic is about as close to a starter as can be without actually being a starter. While often criticized for his lack of offensive contributions and being worse defensively than Kante or Jorginho, the Croatian is now being used in the role he is best suited. Kovacic’s always been at his best when he’s been able to link a good defense to a good offense and the 3-4-3 pretty much exclusively has him do that.

When Kante and Jorginho are both fit, Kovacic isn’t likely to start but he does remain the first to rotate in for either, at least for now. If Chelsea shifts to a three man midfield, Kovacic might find himself in a more awkward position but for now he is highly trusted.

Home/Chelsea FC Depth Chart