I’ve always wondered how key is the role of a defensive midfielder in a team like Chelsea. The DM is quite essential in a team where the full-backs are expected to provide the width in attack. Under Carlo, our full-backs had a big role to play in our attacks and we needed a defensive-minded player to drop back and that’s where the DM comes in handy.

Things are slightly changing. We could be signing Mata quite soon. We have Sturridge and Lukaku as possible wide players to Torres or Drogba. Before the window is closed, we might also get Perreira who’s an orthodox wide man. Plus, we are rumoured to sign Modric or Moutinho for the playmaker role. If Chelsea were to get and play proper wide men in attack and get proper playmaker plus play our own Josh more frequently, our tactical landscape changes completely.

In such a scenario, do you think it’s absolutely necessary to have a spot in the starting line-up for an orthodox defensive midfielder? If we look to play a more attacking game, why waste a starting spot for a defensive midfielder? Why can’t we do away with the DM role and allow another attack-minded player with the confidence that we have one of the best defences in Europe and probably the best keeper too.

And this doesn’t mean getting rid of the role altogether. We can still use this role depending on match situations, tournament situations and against certain oppositions.

The DM role need not be a standard feature in our line-up and tactics. What do you think?