JAMIE CARRAGHER has suggested that one Chelsea star is nearing the end of his time with the London club.
The Liverpool legend has claimed that Thiago Silva is running out of time at Stamford Bridge as his younger teammates begin to upstage him.
RexJamie Carragher has claimed Thiago Silva doesn’t have long left as a Chelsea player[/caption]
Silva has fallen behind his younger teammates in the pecking order at times this seasonGetty
Silva, now 39 years old, was forced off with an injury when Chelsea took on Crystal Palace last week.
And his replacements Axel Disasi, 25, and Levi Colwill, 20, both caught the eye during the Blues’ 1-1 draw with Man City on Saturday.
Chelsea put in a determined defensive display against the treble winners to earn a valuable point despite facing an extraordinary 31 shots at the Etihad.
And with Disasi earning himself Man of the Match, Carragher thinks it could spell trouble for the future of Silva.
Speaking on Sky Sports, he said: “He [Silva] has been brilliant for Chelsea since he’s come in.
“But I think with his age, his contract’s up at the end of the season and when you see those two players [Disasi and Colwill] in together…
“I think it makes it very difficult for Thiago Silva to come back into the team between now and the end of the season – unless someone gets injured.
“Chelsea have the cup final but I certainly think they have to start building something for the future. There’s not an awful lot to play for after the cup final.
HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
“I think looking at those two in a partnership and maybe another young centre-back in the squad, the days of Thiago Silva playing at Chelsea have got to come to an end.”
Chelsea may be able to call on Silva again for their next game which holds an awful lot of importance for the west London outfit.
Wembley awaits as they face Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday.
But after watching on at Disasi and Colwill’s performances against City, Mauricio Pochettino may be swayed to leave Silva on the bench for the first cup final of the season.