Former Chelsea player Scott Minto claims he heard the Blues had been accommodating to Thiago Silva in their defensive plans.
Silva announced he would be leaving the club at the end of the season in an emotional video released earlier this week, after four years at Stamford Bridge.
The Brazil international hinted he would like to return to Chelsea in a different capacity once he hangs up his boots, and has been doing his UEFA B Coaching License whilst at the club.
The 39-year-old’s departure will leave a void both on and off the pitch, and leaves the Blues with a real lack of experience in their backline.
Chelsea to defend differently following Silva’s departure?
Mauricio Pochettino’s men have had a poor season overall, particularly defensively, and the Blues have conceded a club record 59 goals in the league with five games still remaining.
With Silva departing it could lead to Chelsea defending in a different way, and former Blue Minto has claimed he heard before the season started the club’s defensive plans had largely revolved around the veteran Brazilian.
“It does leave a void in the Chelsea back four”, he told talkSPORT.
“I think on the pitch, he is still a classy player, isn’t he? I have seen a lot of Chelsea this season, and he is almost like a centre midfielder playing centre back because he can start the attacks, he can play one-two touch, he can read the game very well.
“I did hear at the end of last season where they were told that he wanted a high line and he was saying, no, we need to drop off.
“So, just from an age point of view, I think it doesn’t really matter what your age is, but if physically he can’t play those high lines and Chelsea want to play it, then it’s difficult to keep him in the side.”
The Blues are in the market for another centre back this summer with Trevoh Chalobah reportedly also set to leave the club, and have been linked with Sporting Lisbon’s Ousmane Diomande.
