It was just after the hour mark against Southampton, with Chelsea six goals ahead and cruising to victory, that Thomas Tuchel decided to make his second substitution. And like the first that saw Kai Havertz replaced at the interval, it was one with Champions League quarter-final second leg against Real Madrid very much in mind.
On came Reece James, who slotted into the back three, and off came Thiago Silva. The Brazilian had very little to deal with at St Mary's – his teammates ensured the majority of the action came at the other end of the pitch. Yet given he is 37 years old, any chance for Silva to rest is almost certainly welcome. Even more so given how much football he has played this term.
Of Chelsea's outfield players, only Antonio Rudiger has featured more than Silva for the Blues. That was not expected by anyone at the start of the campaign but is a mark of how important the Brazil international is to Tuchel's side. He is the defensive leader and organiser but also a vital cog in how Chelsea build attacks through his intelligent use of the ball.
