How Chelsea can overcome deadline day midfielder fiasco, from recalling loan star to transer for veteran free agent

CHELSEA were left short of a midfielder on transfer deadline day, and their title hopes may be left short because of that. When Enzo Fernandez joined Manchester City, the Blues lined up Monaco’s Lamine Camara as his replacement, only for the Ligue 1 side to pull the plug on the deal at the death. Enzo Fernandez left Chelsea on deadline day to re-join Enzo Maresca at Manchester City Credit: AFP The Blues tried to replace him with Lamine Camara, but Monaco pulled out of the deal Credit: Alamy There was no time left for Xabi Alonso to get a replacement, and now Chelsea need to explore other options. So what exactly are those options? Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! SunSport Chelsea reporter Lloyd Canfield has analysed four ways the Blues can try to keep their good form in tact WITHOUT one of their star players… Option 1) Hope for the best… Chelsea have played a double pivot in midfield under Alonso in his 3-4-2-1 system, with Reece James and Moises Caicedo seeming like the favored pairing to do so. As backup options they have Valentin Barco, Romeo Lavia, and Jordan Henderson, as well as the option of playing Malo Gusto in midfield, but he looked fairly lost in there against Brighton. On paper, this midfield seems fine. But Henderson is still out injured after his World Cup calamity in Mexico, Moises Caicedo is not yet fit, Lavia is yet to complete a competitive 90 minutes for Chelsea, and Reece James has had more hamstring injuries than I’ve had ham sandwiches (according to reports). Most read in Sport BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS While the players they have a good enough quality wise, it is a huge gamble to hope that they will all stay fit, and if they don’t we could see some really questionable midfield pivot partnerships this season. Now until January could get extremely long for Chelsea fans. Reece James is expected to shine in midfield for the Blues this season if he can stay fit Credit: Alamy Option 2) Show some faith in Reggie Watson He’s been co-signed by Rodri, has already played senior minutes for Chelsea in pre-season, frequently stars for the under-21’s (or CNG), and is supposedly the second coming of Declan Rice. If you read the Chelsea Files, you will know all about this lad already. Watson is the son of former Wigan Athletic hero Ben Watson, and is one of the brightest young midfield talents in the country full stop. He might be just 16, but Lamine Yamal was 15 when he made his Barcelona debut, Max Dowman is a similar age and plays for Arsenal – if you’re good enough, you’re old enough. I’m not saying he has to start every match, but why not show some faith in the kid, under the guidance of one of the best to do it in Alonso, and just give him a chance? Not to mention, he gives Chelsea an added dead ball threat and oppositions will have no idea what they’re about to come up against. Best case, he turns into a serious midfield prodigy, worst case he looks out of his depth and he can continue his development with CNG – but I would back him to be a success, or at least be competitive. Reggie Watson is going to be a star of the future at Chelsea Credit: Getty Option 3) Recall an on-loan midfielder Dario Essugo is on loan at Strasbourg, and Reggie Walsh is on loan at Wigan Athletic. Both of them rightly so, as they are in need of first team football and experience to flourish into the players that they can become. But if they can get minutes at Chelsea, even until January, those would surely be more valuable? Both have experience playing for the first team, perhaps not in the highest pressure environments, but it is an option if Chelsea are desperate. Reggie Walsh may have stayed if Enzo Maresca was still in charge Credit: Getty Option 4) The fun option… There are a couple of free agent midfielders out there, who would surely jump at the chance to represent Chelsea, even if it was only for one season. Chelsea reportedly explored a deal for former Newcastle and Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum, but that looks unlikely. However, there are several other midfielders who – for a little fun – could be good at Stamford Bridge. Paul Pogba is one of them, with others including Yves Bissouma, Marcelo Brozovic, and former Swansea flop (but Euros winner) Renato Sanches. It’s hard to argue that the wages you would have to pay any of them would be worth it, given they have all been on contracts previously that wouldn’t align with Chelsea’s model, but you never know…. Realistically, giving Reggie Watson a chance or re-calling Dario Essugo seems a smarter play. It would certainly be interesting to see Paul Pogba at Stamford Bridge Credit: AFP What is the best option? Probably option two. You have potentially one of the best young midfielders in the country on your books, with a proven track record of promoting talented youngsters, and an injury crisis in his position. He has been training with the first team, and looked impressive in pre-season, as well as being hand-picked by RODRI as a star of the future – just give him a chance! He doesn’t have to be thrusted in against Arsenal and start every game, but between now and January just put some trust in him and see how it goes – the Carabao Cup against Leeds might be the perfect opportunity. Then, when it gets to January, go out and spend some of that Enzo Fernandez money on a primary midfield target – someone like Alex Scott or a Lamine Camara-esque player, or someone else who is available at the time, you never know who might come up. Comment now