Thiago Silva's wife, Belle Silva, has launched an implicit attack on the Chelsea squad following the 1-0 defeat to Fulham. Despite the Blues' poor performances of late, the veteran defender has continued to show his class at the heart of Graham Potter's backline.
He's featured 16 times for the west Londoners in the Premier League this season and has remained an integral feature in the side, leading by example on and off the pitch. Worryingly for Chelsea, Silva sees his contract at Stamford Bridge expire at the end of the season and the club are yet to identify an obvious heir to his throne.
Despite the Brazil international's best efforts, the Blues have struggled to keep the ball out of their own net, with self-inflicted mistakes often at the root of the problem. And, after two individual mistakes by Chelsea players handed Fulham three points on a silver platter at Craven Cottahe, Belle Silva has seemingly hit out at her husband's teammates.
READ MORE: Chelsea alerted by Dortmund in Youssoufa Moukoko transfer after Newcastle hijack 'ultimate' deal
Taking to Twitter to vent her frustrations, Belle suggested that Potter needs a Thiago Silva in every position in order for the Blues to transform their form. With a blue heart and crying face emoji, she tweeted: "If there was a @tsilva3 in attack and one in midfield, with what we already have in defense..."
Speaking to the press after the game, Potter addressed his frustrations with Chelsea's result. The 47-year-old said: "It's really frustrating and incredibly challenging.
"I feel for the supporters. We're disappointed to lose tonight. I thought it was a relatively even game in the first half and we had a couple of good chances.
"I think the basics we can do better in terms of our defending and some of our football actions. But at the same time, we get back in the game and then the red card...it's where we're at at the moment in terms of things that can happen to us.
"We lost Denis [Zakaria] beforehand as well and were just adjusting with Jorginho and then Joao – who was having a fantastic impact on the game and you could see his quality – to lose him and to lose him for three matches is really disappointing."
Then, Potter was quizzed on what was more frustrating; the defensive mistakes or Joao Felix's red card in the 57th minutes. He replied: "All of them will be learning moments.
"Joao is a young player, a top player, you could see the quality he brought to the game. I didn’t see any malice in the challenge at all.
"It was a little bit high of course but the referee then has a decision to make. He’ll learn from it and like I said, rather than anything fantastic from the opponent it was more our basic actions that we can do better on. That is what we have to improve."
READ NEXT:
How Kai Havertz released his fury as pressure builds on Graham Potter amid Chelsea fans' rage
Four things learned as Joao Felix debut exposes brutal Chelsea realities in defeat to Fulham
Every word Graham Potter said on Joao Felix red card, Zakaria injury, Chelsea supporters' anger
Chelsea player ratings vs Fulham as Joao Felix spoils debut, Mason Mount and Kepa struggle
Chelsea news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and gossip from Stamford Bridge