The former defender feels a new, youth-led era should be ushered in (Picture: Getty)
Former Chelsea defender Frank Leboeuf believes the time is right for Thiago Silva to leave the club and has advised against trying to persuade the veteran to stay.
The 39-year-old, who has had another solid campaign despite Chelsea’s struggles, missed Sunday’s Carabao Cup final defeat at the hands of Liverpool due to a small injury issue.
He is out of contract at the end of the season and although some fans are keen for Silva to stay – particularly given the lack of leadership and experience in the squad – Leboeuf feels the Brazilian should not be retained, with the team’s young centre-backs instead coming to the fore.
‘I think the Chelsea defenders have done enough, especially against Manchester City, to prove that they can cope without Thiago Silva,’ Leboeuf told BetVictor.
‘The defence was so strong against City’s forwards who are amazing.
‘Thiago Silva has been a fantastic player for Chelsea and I don’t want to deny that, but there is a time for everything to come to an end.
‘The young defenders at the club have proven that they are ready to play and I’m not even sure they would’ve been better off with him in the team against Liverpool.
Thiago Silva is out of contract at the end of the season (Picture: Getty)
‘I’m not sure it will be a good thing if he stays next season.
‘It is time for him to leave and time for us all to say thank you to him.
‘I had my time, Marcel Desailly had his time and so did John Terry, there is an end for everyone.’
The Frenchman also questioned Chelsea’s recruitment, continuing: ‘I don’t understand what the owners at the club are doing.
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‘Why did Chelsea let James Maddison go to Tottenham last summer? Why did they let James Ward-Prowse go to West Ham?
‘Why are they not at Chelsea? These players didn’t cost a lot but they’ve brought a lot to their teams.
‘Chelsea had these options in the transfer market but now we all know that these kinds of players weren’t in their thoughts, they just want to sign young, talented players on long contracts because they want to make money.
‘They don’t want results – and we saw the consequences of this in the defeat to Liverpool on Sunday.’
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