Chelsea’s players are perplexed by Thiago Silva not being made captain in the absence of Reece James and Ben Chilwell, with suggestions that the veteran defender has been disrespected a growing topic in the dressing room.
Chelsea’s squad remains supportive of Mauricio Pochettino after a disappointing start but questions have been raised over the captaincy when the first two players in line are missing. James has struggled to stay fit since being handed the armband last summer – he is facing another lengthy lay-off with another hamstring injury – and Chilwell, the vice-captain, has not played since injuring a hamstring in September.
