Tiemoue Bakayoko is being steadily linked with a move to AC Milan, who looks ready to take him on loan with an option to buy. There are similar whispers about a potential departure for Jorginho, and the feeling is that the club would accept an offer for him too, if the money was right.
Given Frank Lampard’s preference for playing N’Golo Kante as the deepest midfielder on the team, that will mean the Frenchman is our number one option in front of the defence. But he’s broken down repeatedly over the last couple of seasons, and regular cover is needed. Billy Gilmour essentially stepped in for Kante before his own medical issues, but it’s hard to imagine the club counting on such a raw player as a backup who is likely to start 15 or so games this season.
Of course Mateo Kovacic could be dropped deeper, perhaps even Ruben Loftus-Cheek. But neither provides the defensive shield that Kante does.
It won’t be possible to improve every area of the squad in one summer, and this may be one weakness that is left exposed next season. Whether that’s an issue will depend a lot on Kante’s fitness, and whether Gilmour is able to step up to regular starts as easily as he did at times last season.
