Two right-backs in midfield: Are Chelsea short despite spending £349m?

Chelsea's 2-1 defeat by Arsenal ended with two players who began their careers as right-backs operating alongside each other in midfield. That image has intensified questions about the squad's depth despite the club spending £349 million during the summer transfer window.

Reece James, who started his career at right-back, failed to track Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard for the winning goal at Emirates Stadium. Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso still believes James can become one of the world's best midfielders, and James otherwise performed well. He also spent almost half of last season in midfield.

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Chelsea do not have European football this season so they are playing fewer games and can concentrate on the Premier League. But the worry is that you are finishing a game against the champions with two right-backs in midfield.

The bigger concern is the lack of options in the position. Malo Gusto replaced midfielder Romeo Lavia in the second half against Arsenal, while Chelsea's bench offered little creativity. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, by contrast, used his substitutes to help secure victory.

Former England international Ashley Young said Chelsea's lack of European football should leave the team with fewer matches and more time to focus on the Premier League. But he questioned how a side challenging the champions could finish with two right-backs in midfield. Young also said Chelsea were surrendering possession and relying on counterattacks, while Arsenal found spaces between the lines.

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You look at Lavia, who was injured a lot last season. The front line are going to send fear throughout the league, but behind that you see the midfield and they are playing right-backs there.

Moises Caicedo's absence has made the problem more acute. The Ecuador international left the field after only 11 minutes as a substitute against Brighton last week and remains out with an unspecified injury for an unknown period. Alonso said the injury was not expected to be long term, but he wanted to assess the risk and avoid bringing Caicedo back too early again.

Chelsea's late transfer activity did not solve the issue. Monaco stopped a proposed £47 million move for Lamine Camara at the last minute, angering officials at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea also had bids of up to £64 million rejected for Bournemouth's Alex Scott, while Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini blocked a move for France international Manu Kone. Chelsea said it pursued Camara because a market opportunity had emerged and that it was satisfied with its summer business.

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Not longer term, but it is about assessing the risk. Probably last week we brought him back too early and I do not want to make the same mistake again.