William Gallas has just done an interesting interview for GiveMeSport where he ran through a number of topics, including his take on the situation at his old club Chelsea.
His focus was on a decision which came around before the summer even began: letting Thiago Silva leave on a free transfer. It’s a move which has puzzled Gallas somewhat, given the struggles we’ve had with a lack of experience in the squad:
“Chelsea need to keep hold of their more experienced players,” Gallas explained.
“There are too many young players at the club. Look at Thiago Silva leaving, and no world-class players coming in to replace him. I’m a little bit confused by that, because you need world-class players like Thiago Silva, and if you don’t sign an experienced player to replace him, then you have a problem.”
The shift towards a younger team has seen all of the previous dressing room leaders – and almost all of the players with major trophies to their names – replaced by young kids with potential.
Huge shoes to fill
Chelsea’s replacement for Silva, at least in terms of direct one in, one out, was Tosin Adarabioyo, who signed on a free transfer from Fulham not long after Silva’s departure was announced.
Tosin is by no means Silva in terms of experience, but he does have a decent number of Premier League games under his belt, especially compared to some of the other players in the squad. He also seems a charismatic figure who has come from a Fulham team where he really was one of the leaders in the dressing room.
We hope he keeps that up with us – but let’s face it, he will need to do more than just play well in order to generate the sort of awe that Silva did.