Thiago Silva is a proven winner and leader after coming from PSG with his experience at the highest level. Despite the fact that he doesn’t speak English, it seemed right for Frank Lampard to hand him the captain armband.
“He’s not speaking the language enough to do it in that sense, but it doesn’t matter with someone like him,” Lampard explained pre-match.
“He delivers it with actions and presence and how he is with people around him.”
All the experience and confidence Silva was supposed to inflict on his teammates vanished when he made a huge mistake in the 25th minute to hand West Brom their second goal of the evening in the game.
The Brazilian lost control of the ball following a missed pass that allowed Callum Robinson to put the Baggies 2-0 up.
With Chelsea in disarray and low in confidence – Kyle Bartley gave Bilic’s side a 3-0 advantage shortly afterwards. At half time Lampard made a quick change, introducing Callum Hudson Odoi and the club captain Cesar Azpilicueta.
Azpilicueta took the hand band from the Brazilian skipper and continued to go on about sorting Chelsea out, doing what the former PSG star failed doing.
Footage emerged showing Azpilicueta passionately delivering instructing to Silva and the rest of Chelsea’s players.
Chelsea went on to draw the game 3-3 and Silva will be looking to make a much better impression when the Blues take on Spurs next in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday.
