Two reasons why Chelsea should never have let Thiago Silva leave including recurring problem

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After a brilliant start to the season under Enzo Maresca, Chelsea have really tailed off over the last couple of weeks.

Chelsea drew 1-1 with Crystal Palace on Saturday, meaning that they have now failed to win any of their last four Premier League fixtures.

After being tipped to compete for the title, the Blues now look to be in a fight for top four.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LiverpoolLiverpool	18	14	3	1	45	17	28	45
2	ArsenalArsenal	19	11	6	2	38	17	21	39
3	Nottm ForestNottingham Forest	19	11	4	4	26	19	7	37
4	ChelseaChelsea	19	10	5	4	38	23	15	35
5	NewcastleNewcastle	19	9	5	5	32	21	11	32
6	Man CityManchester City	19	9	4	6	32	26	6	31

What have Chelsea fans learnt during this bad run of form? Probably that the club were too quick to let go of Thiago Silva, and there are a couple of reasons why. Noni Madueke recently talked up Silva, claiming that he is the best footballer that he has played alongside in his career.

• READ MORE: Estevao Willian shares what Thiago Silva told him about Chelsea ahead of joining the club

Chelsea conceding too many soft and late goals

If you look at the goals Enzo Maresca‘s side are conceding and when they are conceding them, you cannot help but feel that they are missing a figure like Silva.

Jean-Philippe Mateta’s equaliser on Saturday came in the 82nd minute, while Omari Hutchinson’s strike in Chelsea’s 2-0 defeat to Ipswich Town was the result of a very shocking pass from Axel Disasi.

In those games, Chelsea could have really done with a real commander like Silva, who could have calmed down what has become a very erratic backline. And of course, overall, the 40-year-old is still a great defender.

When Frank Lampard spoke about Silva in a press conference in 2023, which was relayed by Chelsea’s official website, the former midfielder said: “He doesn’t get exposed because of the level of player he is, because of his quick thinking and understanding of the role and covering danger — it’s just amazing.”

Wesley Fofana’s injury problems

Another reason why it would have been worth keeping Silva around is because he would have been an extra body, something that Maresca could perhaps do with right now.

Wesley Fofana keeps getting injured and the update on his latest issue is extremely worrying.

According to Maresca, Fofana could be out until the end of the season, news Chelsea fans did not want to hear.

Despite arriving at Chelsea in his mid-30s, Silva still managed to play a lot of games for the Blues and proved to be quite reliable.

In total, he made 155 appearances for the club. In his final season at Stamford Bridge, which he finished as a 39-year-old, Silva managed to make 38 appearances. The Brazil legend had not exceeded his expiry date when Chelsea let him go.

It is a chapter that is obviously over now, though, but as Chelsea continue to struggle defensively, you can argue that it was a chapter that came to an end too soon.