Yeah, a midfielder who understands where to be to stop counters would have been handy but I am comfortable addressing this position with a younger player in 2021.
Just based on how good Ruben was before the injury, I wouldn't rule out him coming good at Chelsea yet. His size and athleticism makes him stand out from the others you mentioned
The Athletic carry good info in their stories. Seems like Liverpool wanted to be in the loop, read that one other Spanish club also made an enquiry. I wonder if Chelsea are keeping tabs for a possible future bid
Isn't Lampard huge on the All Blacks 'no dickhead' rule where players dont put themselves ahead of the team?
Also, Drogba and Lampard had a row over the first penalty in that Wigan game before Lampard decided to hand the next one to Drogba