Chelsea players are reportedly disputing Thiago Silva’s leadership decision, as per walexsports.com.
Multiple sources suggest that numerous Chelsea players advocate for Thiago Silva to assume the team captaincy due to its potential advantages.
When the Argentine coach assumed the head coach role, one of his initial decisions was determining the captain for the 2023-24 season. Silva was an obvious contender for the role given his global reputation and experience, particularly during Chelsea’s transition to a younger squad.
Reece James, an academy graduate, was appointed captain, with Conor Gallagher as his deputy, as per Pochettino’s initial plan. However, due to injuries to James and Chilwell, this plan has faced disruptions, leading to frequent rotation in the captaincy role. Consequently, Gallagher, who has been a consistent starter in most Premier League games this season, unexpectedly assumed the captain’s responsibilities more frequently than anticipated in his second senior season.
During the recent 2-1 loss against Manchester United, Levi Colwill, another young talent from the academy, was named captain in place of Gallagher.
Allegedly, certain senior players have raised questions as to why Silva hasn’t been given the captaincy, as reported by The Guardian. Despite overall support for Pochettino, there seems to be a sense of resentment among some members towards the 39-year-old defender.
Pochettino defended his choice by indicating a preference for players with more domestic experience and a deeper connection with the club. However, there’s purported disagreement within the team, with some feeling that Silva should have been entrusted with leading Chelsea on the pitch this season.
Before coming off the bench in the recent 2-0 Premier League defeat against Everton, Thiago Silva had been a consistent presence in the starting lineup. Sources suggest that due to turning 40 in September, Silva might not receive a contract extension and could opt for a free transfer in the upcoming summer.
