Country: USA
Player:Saliba
The problem switching to 3 central midfielders could affect us so much creativity wise. My frustration same as yours even after signing Sambi i thought we still not have enough quality specially when Partey is gone.
I actually think one of our biggest issues creatively has been caused by leaving one CM isolated and the other covering space left by Tierney when he pushes forward. Since Xhaka returned from suspension he's been playing a lot closer, and slightly in advance of Partey and it's made a HUGE difference creatively. Otherwise teams just allow our CBs to have the ball and force them wide, which slows our build up and means we can't get our most dangerous players into 1 v 1s.
You can just about get away with playing a 2 man midfield if you have someone like Lacazette dropping in to link midfield and attack (Ødegaard plays more as an inside 8 on the right than as a 10), but if you play someone like an Nketiah or Aubameyang, you need an additional progressive CM in my opinion.
I think a real defensive pivot at the based of a 3 would free up Sambi to play further forward where I think his qualities are better utilised. Chambers and White are not my first choice unless we can sign someone.