Former Liverpool player, Stan Collymore, believes that having Thiago Silva at the club is hindering the development of the younger players.
The Brazilian centre-back joined Chelsea in 2020 and has been incredible for the Blues since then. He is arguably one of the best defenders in the league and despite the club’s recent regression, he has been the one shining light.
But former striker Collymore believes that if he is going to get a contract extension he should take up a mentoring role with the young players.
“Chelsea should now be looking to integrate the next generation,” Collymore told CaughtOffside.
“I’m sure Silva can still do a job at the back, but at the age of 38, he’s very unlikely to be playing the same kind of part he is now in two or three years’ time.
“If they’re looking to give him an 18-month extension, fine, but it should be with a view to him transitioning into a more mentor or coaching role, to help bring through whoever is going to be the club’s long-term centre-back pairing.
“I just think his presence in the first team is now starting to hinder the younger players and their development.
“I’d love to see a Chelsea team in two years’ time with a couple of 22-year-olds at the back and who knows, one of them could go on to be the next John Terry.”