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Football London
Football London
Sport
Adam Newson

Why Thomas Tuchel got angry with Cesar Azpilicueta as growing Chelsea problem requires quick fix

Chelsea must use gold to protect Silva

There was a genuine surprise among Chelsea supporters that Thiago Silva didn't start against Arsenal. Partly because the Brazilian only made a late cameo in Sunday's FA Cup semi-final win over Crystal Palace, but also because Malang Sarr and Reece James were being deployed on either side of Thomas Tuchel's back three.

Sarr hadn't played a Premier League match for Chelsea in over a month – he was not going to fully match fit. And while James was near-flawless in his previous two outings at right centre-back against Real Madrid and Crystal Palace, it's not a position he has played in with regularity since his days in the academy. An experienced head alongside the 22-year-old was logical, especially with Antonio Rudiger ruled out through injury.

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