Thiago Silva, 39, is approaching his final season at Chelsea, with his contract set to expire in the summer. The Brazilian international is one of Chelsea’s best players in the last three seasons and was named Chelsea player of the season last year.
The Brazilian was dropped from Chelsea, starting eleven against Manchester City, and was replaced by Levi Colwill, who did exceptionally well to prevent Manchester City’s attack.
Former Premier League defender William Gallas believes Thiago Silva’s Chelsea days are numbered and has backed Levi Colwill as his perfect replacement.
What did William Gallas Say?
“think that Levi Colwill can be the heir to Thiago Silva and become the boss of Chelsea’s defence in the future, said on the Gambling Zone.
“But he will need to play alongside one experienced defender to help him fulfil his potential.
“It looks like this will be Thiago Silva’s last season with the club, so when he goes, for Colwill to fulfil his potential, he will need to play alongside an experienced, world-class defender.
“He is still learning his game. He is physically strong, left-footed, quick, and he reads the game well.
“He has everything that you would be looking for in a potential leader of the defence, but he needs to learn and to learn, you have to play alongside a world-class defender.
“He has played alongside Thiago Silva this season, albeit from left back. When Thiago plays, he takes all of the pressure and deals with it. He runs the show.
“There is still time for Colwill to learn from Thiago this season, but next season, if he is going to fulfil his potential, then Chelsea will need to bring in a world-class defender to play alongside him.”
Meanwhile, Jamie Carragher believes Thiago Silva’s days at Chelsea is numbered.
He said at Skysport after Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with Manchester City: “last couple of big away games going back to Aston Villa in the [FA] Cup and here today when Thiago Silva has not been involved.
“He’s been brilliant for Chelsea since he’s come in. But I think with his age, his contract’s up at the end of the season and when you see those two players [Disasi and Colwill] in together.
“I think it makes it very difficult for Thiago Silva to come back into the team between now and the end of the season – unless someone gets injured.
“Chelsea have the cup final but I certainly think they have to start building something for the future. There’s not an awful lot to play for after the cup final.
“I think looking at those two in a partnership and maybe another young centre-back in the squad, the days of Thiago Silva playing at Chelsea have got to come to an end.”
Former Chelsea defender Frank Leboeuf has revealed that he was surprised at Chelsea level against Manchester City.
He said on ESPN while refecting on Chelsea’s 1-1 draw against Manchester City: “Axel Disasi was absolutely fantastic as was Malo Gusto on the right side. Ben Chilwell in the second half was also very good.
“What about Nicolas Jackson in the first half. He had two chances. It’s sad Malo Gusto doesn’t give him the ball in the first half because Chelsea could have been leading 2-0 at half-time.
“It’s the thing I’m most surprised about in that game because I wasn’t expecting Chelsea at that level.
“Yes, Man City were not that good, compared to what they can offer. But a big part is because of the tactics Chelsea made, how they played and the quality they used on the ball.
“Chelsea did very well and looked like a team who could make the top four. It is too late now of course but they are building something good. It’s going the right way.”
