Given your attacking options I don't really think you need to worry about the goalscoring record of whoever you chose to play DM.

I'd start with 4231 & have Kante/Kova in a two with both given license to advance provided the other one stays back, and Kante would be on the left side to give Chilwell at bit more protection, i.e. Kante is ALWAYS behind him in the third phase of the field. For whatever reason as a partnership they didn't work last season & I don't know why, it should on paper, well I'm making the same mistake again (in fantasy armchair manager land lol).

I'd have Jorginho & Gilmour over Kante as a DM any day unless the strategy is heavily counter attack based with emphasis towards the flank - make sure the build up goes through Kante as little as possible basically. As for the other two, play Jorginho if we want to control the game, play Gilmour if we want to take the initiative

What I expect/fear to happen is Lampard will set up in a 433 with Kante & the CB's being the only players behind the ball & it'll be kamikaze football with a full gegen high press. Neutrals will LOVE it, we'll have multiple heart attacks

You forgot Ampadu!

I will say once Havertz arrives this is a tacticians dream this squad. The sheer variety of possibilities with it is insane, multiple players who are proven in more than one positions, multiple specialists, nice blend of youth & experience, good balance of personalities, etc...

If it had a top keeper any manager in the world who fancies themselves a tactic guru & likes a challenge would adore this setup.

DEFINITELY buying Football Manager this year

I don't know why we are looking at Rice. If we spend more money, I'd like Upamecano and Donnaruma (or Oblak).

Comment deleted by Site Moderator

Thiago would be a fool to join Liverpool. Yes they’re on the high now but Chelsea and United will be better than them very soon if not already (in the case of chelsea). Plus once klopp leaves (and he will leave) they’ll go back to being a Europa team like they were before he came.

comment by Wahl Icht - Congratulations to Arsenal, Super English Champions (U22443)
posted 13 hours, 25 minutes ago
Thiago would be a fool to join Liverpool. Yes they’re on the high now but Chelsea and United will be better than them very soon if not already (in the case of chelsea). Plus once klopp leaves (and he will leave) they’ll go back to being a Europa team like they were before he came.
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So bitter

comment by Wahl Icht - Congratulations to Arsenal, Super English Champions (U22443)
posted 14 hours, 11 minutes ago
Thiago would be a fool to join Liverpool. Yes they’re on the high now but Chelsea and United will be better than them very soon if not already (in the case of chelsea). Plus once klopp leaves (and he will leave) they’ll go back to being a Europa team like they were before he came.
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Let's just leave the wild claims until we see how the new signings gel in new surroundings eh?

what wild claim

'That being said (and assuming we don’t sign anyone else), who do you think will play in those two central positions?'

I'd imagine we're going to be quite interchangeable between a two and three man midfield.
4231/433 hybrid.

Provided players stay fit, depth should be strong and we'll see fluid lineups again (depending on opponents).