Cesc Fabregas is missing the presence of N’Golo Kante in the Chelsea side and shouldn’t be playing alongside Tiemoue Bakayoko, argues Phil Neville.
The Spanish midfielder played alongside summer signing Bakayoko on Tuesday as Chelsea were dominated by Roma in a 3-0 Champions League defeat.
The display from Chelsea was the latest in a run of concerning performances from the Premier League champions that has coincided with the absence of Kante.
The French midfielder has not featured for Chelsea this month and not only is he being missed, his absence is impacting on Fabregas too.
‘Fabregas had two behind him that did his running last season,’ said Neville. ‘He had the ability to play with more freedom and less responsibility.
‘When he plays in a two-man midfield, he gets exposed.
‘Bakayoko isn’t a defensive midfielder – he wants to drive forward too – and at the moment they are lacking balance without N’Golo Kante.’
Thankfully for Chelsea, who play Manchester United this weekend, Kante is expected to make his return to action imminently.
However there could be another midfield option available to manager Antonio Conte, with Stoke midfielder Charlie Adam suggesting David Luiz should play further forward.
‘David Luiz at centre-half, I don’t see it. I would rather see him in centre midfield. He makes too many mistakes for me,’ said the Scottish midfielder.
‘I don’t think he’s a centre-half of that magnitude for Chelsea. I just think at any point in the game he can give you a mistake and tonight it cost them.’
Chelsea host Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
MORE : Antonio Rudiger reveals Antonio Conte’s ‘angry’ reaction after Chelsea’s defeat to Roma
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