We have 3 senior central midfielders: Cabaye, Tiote and Anita. 1 is out long term recovering from an op, 1 is unreliable and the other just sustained what looks like a serious injury. The rest who play there are either non specialists or youngsters or Gosling.
Perch plays there well enough and I'd rather be giving Bigi some game time rather than none at all. Jonas can also play in a midfield three and indeed did so for our most successful spell last season.