Chelsea players were baffled by Mauricio Pochettino’s decision to make Thiago Silva the club’s captain in the absence of Reece James and Ben Chilwell.
James received the armband at the start of the season following the departure of Cesar Azpilicueta. Subsequently, Ben Chilwell appointed Chelsea’s new vice-captain, acting as James’ assistant.
However, James has struggled to stay fit since being handed the captaincy, having started just five Premier League matches so far this season. Now, the England international is facing another lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a hamstring injury during Chelsea’s 2-0 defeat at Everton.
Meanwhile, Chilwell wore the captain’s armband in three top-flight games this season, before suffering a hamstring problem in September. He hasn’t played since then and it’s unclear when the former Leicester defender will return to action.
If Chilwell is not back, Conor Gallagher is expected to don the captaincy for Chelsea’s game against Sheffield United on Saturday for the eighth time in the league this season. This would be ahead of experienced defender Thiago Silva, who has been snubbed by Pochettino in that regard.
And according to The Guardian, the Chelsea squad are said to be ‘perplexed’ by Silva not being made captain in the absence of James and Chilwell. Questions have been raised over the captaincy and there is a growing suggestion inside the dressing room that Silva has been ‘disrespected’.
This summer, Silva was the first to be expected as the club’s new captain after Azpilicueta left when his contract expired. Silva, who turned 39 in September, is the most experienced member of Chelsea’s young dressing room, having made 897 senior appearances in his career.
Speaking in August after James’ appointment ahead of Silva, Pochettino said: “It’s a decision made by me and by the club. We are very pleased that Reece will be the captain of the team this season. He is setting the example through his attitude and determination towards Chelsea. “. This has been a transparent pre-season. He proudly wore the bracelet on our summer excursion and will take on the challenge of leading our team with his own technique and ideas. “
Even when Gallagher, James and Chilwell were out of form or in the starting XI opposite Manchester United, Pochettino passed the captaincy to 20-year-old defender Levi Colwill. It’s the first time he’s worn the armband, albeit Silva through his appearance in central defence.
It is understood that there is “discontent” surrounding Silva’s claim, which some players say reflects the club’s current lack of leadership. Chelsea are currently in 12th place in the Premier League table and have lost 3 of their last 4 games, adding to Sunday’s sad defeat at Goodison Park.
Silva is out of contract at the end of the season and declined to comment on his future when asked in October. “This relationship has been going on for a long time,” he told Globo Esporte at the time. “But I prefer to remain silent for the moment, because there have already been controversies in the recent past.
“Now I have a family, I have children. So you have to think about that facet as well. It’s about seeing where things can bring us happiness, to finish this beautiful and successful career that I’ve achieved. “
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