@True Blue @Chaaay AFC
Think this misconception needs to be put to bed once and for all.
Kante is not a defensive midfielder and never has been. He is primarily a box to box given the nature of his play. As a footballer, Kante is pretty average, however his ability to win the ball back is at the utmost elite level. There is an uncanny resemblance towards Makelele, however they couldn't be more different. The Mak was exceptional at protecting the back 4 in his own half. Kante is exceptional at winning the ball back at the opposition half.
This was even the case with Leicester and under Conte. At Leicester, it was Drinkwater that stayed back which allowed Kante to venture further. Under Conte, it was Matic who stayed back. The idea that Kante is some magical protector of the back 4 is fiction. He isn't a player who sits deep and his limitations as a football would be ever so exposed, especially in Sarri's system.
It is games like West Ham and Newcastle, where the opposition are more than comfortable in sitting back, is where it hurts Kante. There isn't space to expose and by having the ball the majority of the time, his main attribute at winning the ball back is diminished. This is where I feel the likes of Cesc, Barkely, or Reuben Loftus-Cheek would benefit the team more. It is games like City, United, Liverpool, and Spurs where Kante will be primarily needed.
Jorginho is undoubtedly the player that makes this team tick. We are transitioning into becoming a team that controls games. This hasn't been the case since 2010. He directs our play and the notion that we can simply put Kante there instead of Jorginho is asinine given the difference in attributes. Kante can't lead a transition. Jorginho can. @True Blue You say Jorginho doesn't contribute to goals/chances, yet it is him that allows us to retain such possession in order to create the chances and goals we have scored this season. Just off the top of my head he delivered the pass to Alonso that had Pedro score against Arsenal. He is also very vocal and vastly intelligent with his play. Wouldn't be surprised if he is captain when Dave is out.
Defensively, the whole team is to blame, not just Jorginho, as the team is still learning how to defend in this NEW system.