Thiago Silva and Cesar Azpilicueta shouldn’t be starting in the same Chelsea XI during Premier League games, according to Andy Jacobs.
Silva and Azpilicueta, who are senior defenders at Stamford Bridge, both started in the midweek 1-1 draw against Red Bull Salzburg.
Graham Potter, who became Chelsea’s new head coach last week, opted to start with real experience for his first game in charge of the Blues. He went with the aforementioned duo as two of his back three in defence, leaving Wesley Fofana and Kalidou Koulibaly on the bench to the surprise of many.
Unfortunately, Silva failed with his attempted challenge in the build up to Salzburg’s goal, while Azpilicueta lost the scorer in the box.
Silva and Azpilicueta
TalkSPORT pundit Jacobs has made the harsh suggestion to Potter not to start two of his senior Chelsea defenders in the same line-up moving forward.
“If you play Thiago Silva and Azpilicueta together in a Premier League game, you will lose that match,” Jacobs told talkSPORT.
It seems a tad harsh to say Silva and Azpilicueta can’t operate in the same team when they’re both such iconic figures, but there’s a worrying lack of pace when they both start.
Silva, 37, is still performing like one of the very best defenders around at the heart of a back three. You definitely don’t want him dragged out wide into defensive positions, though.
As for club captain Azpilicueta, the 33-year-old is definitely showing signs of slowing down.
There’s definitely no need to worry if the aforementioned duo start together again. However, the pace and power of Fofana or Koulibaly definitely make them more attractive starters over Azpilicueta.
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