Chelsea have been told a former player could solve their current midfield issues.Enzo Fernandez’s deadline day departure to Manchester City has limited Xabi Alonso’s options in the position.Alonso faces a midfield crisis at Chelsea, with a former Blues star the answer says JenningsGettyA failed move for Lamine Camara also added to injuries suffered by Jordan Henderson and Moises Caicedo.As a result, Reece James has been forced into a midfield berth to start the season, with Romeo Lavia and Valentin Barco the only fit alternatives.Do Chelsea miss Ethan Ampadu?However, talkSPORT’s Rory Jennings believes Leeds United’s Ethan Ampadu would offer a solution to their issues.The Wales international spent six years at Stamford Bridge after arriving from Exeter City as a 16-year-old in 2017.Ampadu made just 12 first-team appearances for the Blues, though, instead being sent out on loan four times.The 26-year-old was sold to Leeds for £7million three years ago and has since become club captain as well as winning promotion to the Premier League as champions in 2025.Discussing the club’s midfield crisis, Jennings told talkSPORT Breakfast: “The midfield isn’t there. Caicedo being out is incredibly damaging. I think we all need to stop pretending that Reece James is an option in midfield.“When you talk to a Chelsea fan they go, ‘what are your midfield options?’ We reel them off, but we’ve got to stop pretending that Reece James is a midfielder. He can’t do it.“I was watching Leeds, who I thought were amazing. I’m watching Ethan Ampadu and I’m thinking he is everything I want Reece James to be in that midfield. Snapping into tackles, dictating the tempo, dictating the play, and pressing.“A player like Ethan Ampadu in that Chelsea midfield would elevate the entire club, but we just don’t have it. I don’t really know what the solution is.”Jennings believes Ampadu offers everything Chelsea are missing in midfieldGettyAmpadu continued his impressive start to the season as Leeds beat Newcastle United 4-1 on Monday night.He has played every minute of their league campaign so far, with Daniel Farke’s side sitting in third thanks to an unbeaten opening quartet of matches.In contrast, Chelsea have not won either of their last two Premier League fixtures following a 2-2 draw with Hull City on Saturday.James once again featured in midfield as he has done in each of his three league starts this term.Doubts over Reece JamesJennings remains unconvinced the academy graduate is still a viable option in his natural right-back role either, though.He added: “There’s also a very awkward conversation that people don’t want to have about Reece James.James’ injuries have also raised concerns he has a future at right-back for ChelseaGetty“He is a phenomenal footballer, one of our best right-backs in the league, but his hamstrings aren’t really that of a right-back anymore and he just cannot play central midfield.”James has made 235 first-team appearances for the Blues since being handed his debut aged 19 in 2019.Since becoming captain at the start of the 2023/24 season, he has also won both the Conference League and Club World Cup.However, injuries have continued to hamper his career with no fewer than nine separate hamstring layoffs to date.James has missed 14 matches for club and country through injury since the start of this year alone.Although he was part of England’s World Cup squad this summer, the 26-year-old has won just 29 caps since his debut in 2020.