Chelsea’s players are perplexed by Thiago Silva not being made captain in the absence of Reece James and Ben Chilwell, with suggestions that the veteran defender has been disrespected a growing topic in the dressing room.
Chelsea’s squad remains supportive of Mauricio Pochettino after a disappointing start but questions have been raised over the captaincy when the first two players in line are missing. James has struggled to stay fit since being handed the armband last summer – he is facing another lengthy lay-off with another hamstring injury – and Chilwell, the vice-captain, has not played since injuring a hamstring in September.
The initial expectation during the summer was that Pochettino would make Silva captain. The Brazil centre-back, 39, is by far the most experienced player in a youthful dressing room. Silva has remained a regular but Chelsea looked to the future and made James the club captain. The move was viewed as a major vote of confidence in Chelsea’s youth-led project and there is no suggestion it has been opposed by Silva. “This is a decision taken by me and the club,” Pochettino said at the time.
Injuries have forced Pochettino to look for alternative players to captain the side. Conor Gallagher, the 23-year-old midfielder, has worn the armband when James and Chilwell have been out, but there had to be a rethink when the England international was sent off against Brighton this month.
Gallagher’s absence through suspension prompted Pochettino to give the captaincy to the 20-year-old defender Levi Colwill for Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat at Manchester United last week. Colwill made his Chelsea debut this season and was captain for the first time. Silva was also in the starting XI against United.
Pochettino has insisted there is no problem with Silva being overlooked, saying a player of the Brazilian’s stature does not need the armband to be a leader. However some of Silva’s teammates cannot understand why their most experienced player is not leading the team out when the regular captain is absent.
There is talk of “disrespect” being shown towards Silva, who is out of contract at the end of the season, and unhappiness around a situation that some players feel captures the side’s lack of direction. Chelsea, who are 12th, have shown a lack of nous and Pochettino accused his side of being soft after losing to Newcastle last month.
Equally it has been pointed out that Pochettino is doing the right thing by looking to the future and giving chances to younger players given that Silva may not be at Chelsea next season. Chelsea did not sign a player over the age of 25 last summer and Silva was on the bench for the defeat at Everton last weekend. The veteran, who has become a firm crowd favourite since moving to Stamford Bridge in 2020, criticised the owners, Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, for signing too many players last season.
James’s latest hamstring injury is expected to keep him out for about three months and means he is increasingly unlikely to be part of Gareth Southgate’s England squad at Euro 2024. The right-back, who has sustained seven hamstring injuries in three years, visited a specialist to determine the problem’s severity and must make a decision on whether to undergo surgery.
An operation would push back James’s return but there is a feeling that it would be better for him in the long run. James was out for two months after a hamstring injury in August and it has not taken long for him to break down again. The 24-year-old, who has made six appearances this season, limped off at Everton.
Southgate will take a 23-man squad to Germany next summer and has said fitness will play a part in selection. England’s manager is likely to have doubts over whether he can rely on James, who missed last year’s World Cup with a knee injury.
James was absent from England’s last camp after deciding to stay at Chelsea to work on his recovery. Southgate had wanted to select him. He said that James was risking his place by staying away. Southgate is not short of options at right-back, with Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier and Trent Alexander-Arnold expected to be picked.
James has looked below his physical peak since returning in October and was sent off against Newcastle last month. Chelsea have missed his explosiveness on the right. The club have struggled with injuries and also had their goalkeeper Robert Sánchez and the left-back Marc Cucurella go off early against Everton. Two of their expensive summer signings, Christopher Nkunku and Roméo Lavia, are yet to play a minute of competitive football.
Chelsea will hope Nkunku returns from a long-term knee injury when Sheffield United visit on Saturday. Trevoh Chalobah, Wesley Fofana, Carney Chukwuemeka, Malo Gusto, Lesley Ugochukwu and Noni Madueke were unavailable against Everton.
