The pre-season campaign is done and dusted for the premier league clubs, as the teams are all preparing for the new season ahead. The 2019/2020 premier league season is already around the corner and is just few days away with lots of exciting much-anticipated opening matchday fixtures coming up. As we all know about Chelsea’s current transfer ban situation which has prevented them from adding any player to the squad. However, Chelsea have an abundance of quality midfielders and are all fighting for limited midfield spots. They currently have healthy competitions in almost every area of the pitch at the moment making it a good headache for any manager to have. In my previous posts, I have talked about the competition in the striking and center back positions and today, we will be taking a look at the competition for a spot alongside Ngolo Kante at the defensive midfield position.
As a lot of fans would agree, Kante is one of those rare players that is untouchable in any team, arguably the best player in the world in his position and currently the best player at Chelsea since Eden hazard who held the status as the best player at Chelsea has left the club. For this reason, it is almost certain that he is the most assure starter in the Chelsea midfield and basically has no competition if he is fit. Lots of talking points are currently going on concerning Kante’s defensive midfield partnership, a partnership style in which he has excelled at. Jorginho and Kovacic are the only two players currently at Chelsea who are more suited to play the defensive midfield role more effectively, which has led to the debate on which player will play alongside the Kante…
Jorginho who was basically a player Sarri wanted Chelsea to sign from Napoli as someone whi already knew his style of play and was the engine room for his system during their time at Naples, has established himself as one of the key players at Chelsea in just a short time. His directive nature on the pitch and his qualities on the ball has seen him slowly become one of the key players currently at the club.
Kovacic who was initially signed on a long season loan from Real Madrid last season and has signed permanently at Chelsea, has also established himself as one of the quality players at Chelsea. He is arguably the best midfielder at Chelsea with very good dribbling abilities and can carry the ball from defense to attack, maybe an argument can be made for Ruben Loftus-Cheek. Like we saw last season, he isn’t really suited to play further up the pitch and his attributes make him very good at deeper positions. However, having a player like Jorginho in the team as well makes it a huge competition both especially when the main formation requires only 2 defensive midfielders, of which Kante certainly occupies one spot in the defensive midfield positions.
For me, I think both players offer something very different from each other and can be useful based on the opposition. Jorginho is more of a director and a player who can organize the players on the pitch and also to play quick one-touch passes. While Kovacic on the other hand, is more of a dribbler from midfield and likes to drive with the ball from defensive positions to attack. Both can pass the ball, very well even though Jorginho is better when it comes to long over the top balls, but Kovacic isn’t really far off with his passing range.
Both players can play a huge role for Chelsea when the new season begins. Since Kante is basically untouchable at the moment when he is fit, the manager can make use of either Jorginho or Kovacic depending on the tactics and the opposition without really affecting the overall gameplay.
What do you think of these two players and who do you think should play alongside Kante at Chelsea?
I would love to read your thoughts and opinions… Enjoy your day.
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