Shaun Wright-Phillips claims Chelsea should have kept player who left before the start of the season, ‘he’s the best person’…

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Shaun Wright-Phillips believes Chelsea hugely miss a player who left them last summer.

Under this Chelsea ownership, there has been a massive turnover of the Blues squad during nearly three years at the helm.

Before the 2024/25 campaign kicked off, a number of high-profile individuals did exit Stamford Bridge. Many of them are enjoying real success at their new homes, too.

Todd Boehly’s feeling on the Chelsea squad is that it needs a mix of youth and experience. If you look around the current dressing room, head coach Enzo Maresca is picking from mostly youngsters.

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Shaun Wright-Phillips thinks Chelsea should’ve kept Thiago Silva this season

Shaun Wright-Phillips, who played for the Blues between 2005 and 2008, suggests that his former club were wrong to let Thiago Silva leave before the start of this season.

When discussing Chelsea on The Dressing Room Podcast, Wright-Phillips said: “You speak about the attack; I think the defence… Against Arsenal, it looked so bad. There are no leaders. I would’ve kept Thiago [Silva] because if there’s anybody those centre-backs can learn from, he’s the best person for that to happen.”

Silva, 40, left Chelsea last summer after four superb seasons in West London. Remarkably, the veteran centre-half is still playing right now with Fluminense.

The Brazilian ace is one of Chelsea’s greatest bargains because of what he achieved after arriving on a free transfer.

Not only was he a special player, but his experience and know-how around a young group were invaluable. Speaking back in December, Noni Madueke called Silva a “great leader” and explained he was brilliant to have at the club.

Thiago Silva wanted Chelsea stay

We agree that Silva could’ve played on and contributed massively during another year at Chelsea. Instead, he returned home to Fluminense, where he started out as an academy player.

Back in May 2024, LondonWorld reported that Silva was in contract negotiations with Chelsea because he wanted to stay another year, but eventually it was decided he would be leaving.

In the current Chelsea group, they massively lack Silva’s experience in the heart of defence.

When it comes to next season, the Blues would be wise to recruit a proven centre-back in the summer transfer window to lead the backline.