Chelsea defender Thiago Silva is happy with his leadership role amongst the newly assembled dressing room.
The Blues signed eight new players last month, one of whom, Malo Gusto, has returned on loan to Lyon for the rest of 2022/23. Enzo Fernandez and Noni Madueke were the latest to make their debut, in the goalless draw with Fulham, while Thiago’s compatriot Andrey Santos is competing at the Under-20 South American Championship in Colombia.
“It’s the first time I’ve seen something like this in my whole career,” Thiago told chelseafc.com of their January activity.
“This shows about the ambition of the club, how much the club wants to win. We had a lot of injury problems this year. A lot of new players arrived and that takes time to prepare and get used to.
“We know we’re not having the best season, but I really believe that the positive thing is: if we don’t start well, we can finish well. So, that’s what we need to learn as a lesson, try to get settled in as soon as possible, because there’s no time left, because the Champions League will start again soon.
“We need everyone to be ready, at the same page, we won’t be at 100 per cent, but the knowledge of each other has to be important at this moment to build chemistry.”
Despite the flurry of new arrivals, including in central defence, Thiago Silva remains a mainstay of the Chelsea side, belying his 38 years and leading by example.
“I have my responsibility to understand that we have a young team and that the team theoretically needs me and my help,” he said.
“For me to help, I need to be physically well, I need to be well recovered. We have a great communication with staff, because I tell them that I need to be well.
“If I’m tired, besides damaging the defence, I won’t be able to help my team. So we have this plan that is a little different to the other players, but I’m always on the [training] pitch, every day, I’m never outside of the game and I hope the season ends this way.”
Chelsea Team News at West Ham: Fofana, Zakaria, Pulisic, Kovacic
That injury crisis you’ve heard so much about at Chelsea FC is gradually healing itself. Three names came off that injured list and back into active duty last weekend, in the Fulham Road Derby.
Now, as another London derby approaches, at least two, and maybe three, more players will be back at full fitness and returning to the mix. And it won’t be long until a couple more follow suit as well.
Chelsea Team News
Graham Potter will be worried by just how poor his side are at creating goalscoring opportunities right now, admittedly they do have a lot of key players out through injury.
Joao Felix has finished serving his suspension while Mateo Kovacic, Denis Zakaria and Wesley Fofana could all be back at full fitness for this clash.
Let’s start with Fofana, who posted on Instagram that his participation in full first-team training. The former Leicester City man has been on the shelf for over three months, due to two separate knee injuries.
If Potter’s timeline is accurate Zakaria should be available for the weekend alongside Fofana, Denis Zakaria could be back soon, judging by his latest update on social media.
Elsewhere on social media, Denis Zakaria posted a photo of himself next to Reece James (who recently returned from long term injury himself) on stationary bikes, with the caption: “Step by step. See you soon!”
Given how manager Graham Potter said, about four weeks ago that Zakaria was about four weeks away, well, you do the math.
The time is now, as he was also photographed participating in full training.
Moving on, another long term injury absentee, Christian Pulisic, did a “back soon” post on social media, on the heels of reports that he is ahead of schedule in his rehab.
Finally, Armando Broja, N’Golo Kante and Edouard Mendy remain out as long term injury absentees.
SOURCE: thesportsbank.net, tribalfootball.com
