Dissecting Chelsea's squad: A guide to the Blues' winter transfer window

Chelsea coach Frank Lampard
Chelsea coach Frank Lampard

Midfield

N'Golo Kante
N'Golo Kante

Players: N'Golo Kante, Jorginho, Mateo Kovacic, Mason Mount, Ross Barkley, Ruben Loftus-Cheek

Since his big-money move from Napoli, the jury's still out on whether Jorginho has settled in well into life at Stamford Bridge. Granted that he's grown leaps and bounds in stature at the club, but his on-field displays have blown hot and cold with the Italian leaves a lot to be desired in areas that aren't his forte, but unfortunately, are essential. This season, though, he's been crucial for the Blues to attain control in the middle of the park.

N'Golo Kante needs little introduction as he is the general who provides the level of energy and legs their midfield needs. Over the last few years, the Frenchman has developed other aspects of his game and now has an eye for a pass as well as a goal, having scored a few key goals against clubs such as Manchester United and Liverpool. The World Cup-winner is someone to build a midfield and a team around, and is comfortably one of the best footballers in the world in his position.

Mateo Kovacic
Mateo Kovacic

The coming of age of Mateo Kovacic has provided the club with some much-needed control in midfield, with the Croatian finally living up to the hype that was created around him during his Inter Milan days. Chelsea and more particularly Frank Lampard's tweaks in terms of his positioning and helping him improve his decision making has significantly escalated his status at the club as one of the first names on the team sheet.

Ross Barkley is another name that has failed to cement a spot in the team after an impressive initial spell, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek's injuries have hampered what could have potentially been a great consistent addition to the Chelsea midfield. Mason Mount's rise has provided the club with a different attacking prospect. The Englishman's blend of pressing energy and knack of drifting in between the lines has helped fill the void of a creative presence in the side. That being said, what this midfield does lack, of course, is goals and direct attacking output.

Mason Mount is the present and future of Chelsea's midfield
Mason Mount is the present and future of Chelsea's midfield

Mount doesn't create chances in bulk and is more focused on making late runs into the box, à la Frank Lampard. They could really do with a creative force, such as Real Madrid outcast Isco Alarcon or Tottenham Hotspur contract rebel Christian Eriksen. A player with a certain level of expertise in the area could provide Chelsea with the extra bit of assured quality in the final ball.

Apart from that one apparent void, there isn't much else to discuss regarding the Blues's midfield ahead of the winter window. Chelsea aren't likely to look for midfield reinforcements this winter.

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