Am I the only one that thinks there's a glaring exclusion from this summer's transfers?

I have just joined this forum and this is my first post, so apologies if this topic has been covered (I hope it has).

I am reasonably impressed with our signings thus far (time will tell as always when signing youngsters), but I feel our beloved blues have missed the fact that to play 2 holding midfielders, you need a player that can dominate and control the midfield whilst providing protection in front of the defence. I don't see who that player is in our squad.

RDM seems to like Frank and John Obi in those slots, but as good an end of season Mikel had, I have been seriously underwhelmed by him over the years. Frank is obviously a legend, and as well as he can adapt to a more withdrawn role, I don't think we'll get the best of him there and I'm not convinced he can play that role with the competence needed to win titles (with so much youth in the attacking midfield roles we have, I actually think we'll need Frank further forward from time to time, teaching the youngsters their trade at the top level).

We are then left with Romeu, who has shown little to convince he can rule that position.

Young Josh, who does look a real prospect whom I expect to break into the team within 18 months, but he's not ready yet.

And finally Essien. Jose once said "90 minutes is not enough for Michael". Whilst I love that quote as it was so true at the time, it grates with me a bit now because we're lucky to get 90 minutes out of him in a season! I would love to see The Bison get back to his indominatable best, but fear we have seen his best days, as he doesn't look as mobile or dynamic as he once did. I hope I'm wrong.

We never really replaced Claude Makelele (who could?). Yesterday, Yaya Toure showed us exactly what we need as he bossed the midfield, as did the likes of Maka, Vieira, Keane etc. There are players out there that could do this job for us and are potentially available.

Javi Martinez is available and whilst he may cost around £25m, he could be priceless for the formation we are adopting. He would be my first choice.

Moutinho is a classy player who likes to run games from the holding role, he's still only 25 and would slot in nicely to our line up.

I've heard good things about M'Villa, but also heard he's a bit of a disruptive character, so perhaps we'll leave him out of the equation.

Even Nigel De Jong at City would be a great squad player for that role, tough, committed and can play a bit too.

Am I wrong in thinking we're a bit lightweight here? If not, then why the hell aren't we doing anything about it?

Dont know much about Martinez, but I definitely agree we need something else in the middle, puzzle is a bit incomplete.

I was trying to allude to what you are saying in another thread:

I think we have enough quality to make top 4 comfortably this year, although it would be useful if we had a bit more bite/muscle in midfield. Our hardest tackler in midfield is Frank, with Ramires a close second (although he is a lot more likely to get booked).

Might as well bring in Schweinsteiger and Moutinho. Would make a fairly solid central midfield

The problem is the sheer number we have in midfield already.

Frank

RM

Mikel

Essien

Josh

Oscar

Romeu

We really need to move a few on before we bring anyone else in otherwise the youth like Josh and Piazon will never get a chance to shine.

Have to agree we're lacking an enforcer in the middle of the pitch and looking a bit fragile in the same way the Gooners are after they lost Viera. A fit Essien would do the job otherwise it may eventually mean a dip into the market to plug the hole.

We never really replaced the men who left, like maka, robben, ballack, and the ones who declined like Lamps and essien. To think we had a midfield of the mentioned names, our current one really doesn't compare.we are still heavily reliant on a 34 year old lamps. only this year have we began to properly replace the above name in lampard (Oscar) and robben (hazard and the other new wingers). We have too many in midfield already, problem is, none are really world class anymore, none compare to the midfield Jose constructed, or has constructed at madrid. there all pretty good players, some are past there best, and some while at their best are great.

If we actually wanted to bring someone in for that role, Etienne Capoue seems to be the one to get, ahead of M'Vila even. For me, I'd like to see Romeu get more playing time this year, as I liked what I saw from him last year when he got an extended run of games, and I don't totally buy into the Barca-buyback stuff.

i agree with many that we lack that enforcer in. the middle of the park and whilst i think David Luiz could easily do the job there i think if we're going to invest the time is now. Martinez could be good and whilst i think Schwienstiger is great the sheer cost in transfer and wages would just be too much.

i concord

M'Villa hands down some of the best DM have been angry French/African players so on that basis he must already be world class

i concord. But the only teaser here is would chelsea need a buy to get a real enforcer. David luiz, yes, luiz must be relieved of the rather huge defensive pressure and given that chance going forward.

i concord. But the only teaser here is would chelsea need a buy to get a real enforcer. David luiz, yes, luiz must be relieved of the rather huge defensive pressure and given that chance going forward.

I feel the urge to say...

I boeing 747.

yeah, not really sure about the use of concord.. but luiz is an interesting one. Although at times he's looked perfect at centre back, he can look so comfortable with his pace and touch and his timing of tackle on the most part is good, however we all know this isn't the whole story and the mistakes are there for all to see. It does seem like a possibility that he could play just in front of the defence and then if/when he does get caught out it doesn't result in 1. him having to chase back and commit the foul 2. the opposition being clean through on our goal. Its clear to see having the ball at his feet wouldn't be a problem. i'm not saying this is a sollution, i agree that we really should have re-energised those positions by now - tiote would've been interesting too. But it would've been good to see it experimented in pre season anyway

maybe the club dont want to spend 20 million upwards for a good holding mid when we have mikel essien merelies and romeu mikel isnt consistent but he has got the talent to play there as well as anyone on his day essien had a encouraging preseason and might get back to his best merelies can play further forward and is a useful squad player romeu looks like a good talent so he needs playing time he wont get it if we sign a fifth player for the one position i really dont think martinez is that much better than romeu as for josh i would love to be proved wrong but i dont the hes good enough to play as first choice for a team like chelsea i dont see him ever being more than a squad player to be honest

maybe the club dont want to spend 20 million upwards for a good holding mid when we have mikel essien merelies and romeu mikel isnt consistent but he has got the talent to play there as well as anyone on his day essien had a encouraging preseason and might get back to his best merelies can play further forward and is a useful squad player romeu looks like a good talent so he needs playing time he wont get it if we sign a fifth player for the one position i really dont think martinez is that much better than romeu as for josh i would love to be proved wrong but i dont the hes good enough to play as first choice for a team like chelsea i dont see him ever being more than a squad player to be honest

Periods. Are. Your. Friends.

I concur with the view that that player is the missing player, and been saying so in every thread where it comes up all transfer season long.I have a question whether Romeu can be that player but right now the manager's answer is clearly no.

Toure showed one way to play that role, Makele another, Alonso a third way and Pirlo a fourth (maybe Lampard could still be close to the Pirlo way if he adapts).

We have lots of fast attackers now but no midfield general. Mikel is patchy and slow, Lampard has been the No 1 goal scorer for years and the ability to play a different role remains in question. In any event I just don't see Lamps being the power midfielder.

Oscar isn't that player either, on what I've seen. Oscar is an alternative to Mata right now.

Modric would have been gravy. Shame.

Periods. Are. Your. Friends.

I will try to keep track of that in future

It's easy to look at how effective Toure was on Sunday and think why don't we have a player like that?

We have simply taken a different route. We have packed the attacking midfield zone and are looking for our control to come from there. I think that can be an effective strategy but it will take time for Hazard, Marin and Oscar to gel and fit in with our system.

Mikel and Frank supported by Essien, Meireles, Romeu etc. are certainly capable of keeping the ball and shielding the defence effectively enough to ensure the players further forward can flourish.

It's a matter of moderating expectations. This thing is not going to happen overnight.

Mikel gets caught in possession too often. Maybe if we should've invested a bit more in Diarra when we had him, or maybe we could do away with the holding mid and just ping the ball around instead.

Oscar could do that.

Daniele De Rossi?

^{What a great forum this is! Some really considered and articulate opinions here......wish I'd found this forum earlier!}

^{I'm not keen on moving Sideshow from CB to DM, I believe he's becoming the player we paid so much for and we need his pace at the back. I think we can only hope and pray that eith Mikel changes a few minds (mine included) with a season that he's owed us for so long now, or Romeu becomes the player we thought we'd signed. My greatest hope, however, is that Ess finds the form and fitness that almost gave him cult status at the Bridge. I miss seeing his smiling face tearing up the midfield!}

Edited August 15, 201213 yr by aajblue

I have the highest hopes for Essien this season. He was looking sharp in preseason, rampaging forward at times.

Mikel gets caught in possession too often. Maybe if we should've invested a bit more in Diarra when we had him, or maybe we could do away with the holding mid and just ping the ball around instead.

Oscar could do that.

I agree , people seem to think having a holding midfielder is mandatory in today's game. If you don't have anyone decent enough to do it then don't bother with it . If we are going to have a DM then i think our best option is David Luiz . I can't trust the guy at centre back , when things go wrong he losses it. I also think he would love it there , he can pass , he is quick on his feet , and he knows the defensive game well . He has everything Mikel doesn't have , and maybe even Romeu. Romeu is a good prospect but i don't think he looks like he knows anything about the defensive game.

I say either buy a new DM like De Rossi or put David Luiz in there because i really don't think we have the players to play in that position . Do that or get rid of it and play Ramires , Lampard , Mata , Oscar and Hazard in a 5 man midfield.