CHELSEA stars have reportedly been left confused by Conor Gallagher and Levi Colwill captaining the club.
Gallagher, 23, has been handed the armband in the absence of captain Reece James and vice-captain Ben Chilwell – both of whom have both struggled with various injuries throughout the season.
GettyConor Gallagher has been handed the captain’s armband in the absence of Reece James and Ben Chilwell[/caption]
But reports claim some team-mates feel Thiago Silva has been disrespected by the managerRex
While 20-year-old Levi Colwill wa skipper for the club’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester United, with Gallagher also out.
However, it is reported that some players think veteran defender Thiago Silva would have been the most logical choice.
A report in The Guardian claims some members of the team have been left perplexed by the move and feel the Brazilian has been disrespected by boss Mauricio Pochettino.
The topic is said to be a growing discussion in the Blues dressing room, though Chelsea‘s squad remain supportive of the manager.
It was expected that 39-year-old Silva, by far the squad’s most experienced player, would assume the captaincy in the summer.
However, in a bid to look to the future, academy graduate James was handed the honour instead, with Chilwell being named the second in command.
Silva has remained a regular starter but injuries to James and Chilwell have forced former Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain manager Pochettino to look elsewhere in his squad for a captain.
He first named Gallagher as captain in a 2-1 win over Wimbledon in the Carabao Cup before he was handed the armband in the Premier League against Bournemouth in September.
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And this is said to have led to talk of “disrespect” towards Silva by the manager, who has previously insisted there is no rift between the pair.
Gallagher himself admitted he was surprised to be given the armband against Bournemouth.
He told Chelsea media at the time: “Against Bournemouth I had no idea I was captain. I didn’t think I would be, if I’m being honest.
“But I lifted up my kit to arrange it before I put it on and the armband was there. I said to the kitman ‘is this mine’ and he said “yeah”, so that’s how I found out.
“To captain the side on a couple of occasions is really special. My parents are really proud too.
“There was no phone service in the changing room, so they didn’t get my message. They just saw me on the pitch with the armband, but I think that was a nicer surprise anyway.”
Notwithstanding alleged issues surrounding the club captaincy, Chelsea are 12th in the Premier League following a run of three defeats in four league games.
They face Sheffield United on Saturday at 3pm before taking on Newcastle in the League Cup quarter-final next week.
Here are Chelsea’s next five games
