LONDON — Chelsea's 2-1 defeat by champions Arsenal on Sunday ended with a striking tactical image: two right-backs operating alongside each other in midfield, prompting questions about whether the club is short in central areas despite spending £349m.
The loss to the champions left Chelsea reflecting on how they arrived at this point, with the BBC examining the squad-building decisions that culminated in such an unconventional midfield pairing during the closing stages of the match.
Tactically, deploying two natural right-backs in central midfield suggests Chelsea lacked available specialist options in those positions, an unusual scenario for a squad backed by such heavy investment. The arrangement speaks to broader questions about balance and recruitment priorities across the squad.
The defeat offers an early analytical takeaway for Chelsea's season: squad depth in midfield may require attention, and how the coaching staff manages these personnel constraints in upcoming fixtures will be closely watched as the campaign progresses.