Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has insisted he will not rely on a centre-back pair and will continue using several options throughout the season.
The 3-0 defeat against Sheffield United has once again highlighted Chelsea’s defensive problems.
They have conceded 49 goals this season so far, more than any other team in the top half of the table.
The three central defenders Lampard has used since the Premier League restart; Andreas Christensen, Antonio Rudiger, and Kurt Zouma, have each had their share of criticism.
Some argue that the lack of a long-term partnership has had an impact on Chelsea’s poor defensive record, but Lampard insisted it was not the case.
He told Sky Sports: “I don’t think any team in modern football are going to say ‘We’ve got that one defensive partnership’.
“You go back and talk about a John Terry-Ricardo Carvalho partnership, but in the modern day, I don’t think you will find too many clubs to name the two.
“It’s a difficult season and a demanding season, so I’m not saying I just want to pick two centre-backs because you need competition of probably four centre-backs within a squad and then you need them knocking on the door.
“You want to be able to say to players ‘You are not doing enough’ or the two that are playing keep deserving to play.”
The former Derby County manager said it was not always about partnership.
“Can we be more settled if we improve? Yes, for sure,” he added.
“Will it be just two players who are going to be your centre backs? I don’t think that’s going to be the case.”