Chelsea's lack of leaders has been evident for a while but perhaps never more so than during this run of games under Graham Potter. Questions have been asked of the manager himself and whether he is the right person to motivate groups to win but that is largely besides the point.
Roman Abramovich's successful Chelsea model was supported by a core of strong, powerful players with the ability to effectively govern themselves. Over time they have left the club and very few have come through with similar attitudes, making it harder to manage.
Even throughout the club there has been the gradual decline of people that have a lengthy connection to the Blues. Petr Cech and Marina Granovskaia were moved on over the summer from their senior director roles, as was Bruce Buck. Even at squad level Jorginho - the vice captain - left in January.
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Cesar Azpilicueta is still there and is club captain but he is not only playing less of an active role but also considering his future. Mason Mount has shown a top mentality but is struggling for form and has his own uncertainties heading into the summer. There is, throughout the group, a distinct lack of leaders.
Mateo Kovacic, a senior player, is hardly a leader in the orthodox sense and there is such a level of turnover in attack it's hard to see any clear mentality monsters in the frontline. N'Golo Kante is also senior and experienced but is not the confrontational type to lead men.
New and young players will take time to develop whilst learning the language and acclimatising happens over a period too. It has all made it much tougher for Potter to lead, though there is little indication he has lost the support of his squad like previous coaches.
It still raises the question of where the next generation and core of Chelsea players is going to come from. Now, with Thiago Silva ruled out until at least after the March international break, football.london understands, there is a hole on the pitch.
Both physically and mentally it is a blow for Chelsea. The 38-year-old hasn't been on the field when the Blues have conceded in the last two matches but still occupies as much, if not more, of a presence as he ever has. His minutes have risen since joining despite his age and he is still on course to play more than in any season since arriving 2020.
When it comes to his replacement on the field that looks sure to be Wesley Fofana, who has been bright upon his return. As a character though it is harder to find someone of his calibre. The only other option readily available is Reece James.
The 23-year-old took the armband when Silva was subbed off against Tottenham in the first half. He also missed the loss to Southampton due to injury worries. Now he seems set for a spell with the captaincy.
Azpilicueta's return will be carefully managed after sustaining a head injury last weekend and James is the obvious candidate to be skipper. He has shown his qualities in this role before and is a leader by example rather than with loud, booming speeches. Silva is a similar character due to his lack of English.
James has been in the pipeline for this sort of role for a while too. As a teenager in the Championship he captained Wigan in a relegation fight despite only being on loan at the club. He is yet to wear the armband for his boyhood club from the start but that could be about to change.
Against Leeds he is already the most likely replacement for Silva and it's something John Terry has tipped him for previously. “We miss Reece so much when he doesn’t play," he said earlier in the season. "22 years old and a future captain in my opinion.”
Terry was famously captain having come through the club's youth system and has been followed by James and Mount as players that have been captain on differing occasions. Now it appears the time is for James to step into the role on a more consistent basis.
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