Former Chelsea midfielder Craig Burley has questioned manager Frank Lampard's treatment of Jorginho.
The midfielder is linked with a returrn to Juventus, with former boss Maurizio Sarri keen on a reunion.
"Well you'll have N'Golo Kante to play the defensive role, which looks likely," Burley told ESPN FC.
"Billy Gilmour's come in but he's a young man learning the game and that's a lot to ask, but he'll get some game time.
"[Matteo} Kovacic is there, Barkley's had game time, [Ruben] Loftus-Cheek is back although he's more attacking.
"But I suppose the answer would be to have protection, if Frank Lampard sees it that way, if there's an injury to N'Golo Kante, they're kind of going to be stuffed for somebody who can play a deeper-lying midfield role and protect that back four."