Don’t think that way” – Frank Leboeuf share real reason Thiago Silva was dropped by Mauricio Pochettino
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!ormer Chelsea defender Frank Lebouef exudes confidence that Thiago Silva’s absence from the starting XI in last night’s clash against Aston Villa was unrelated to his wife’s contentious social media activity. The seasoned center-half’s partner had added fuel to the fire on Sunday, hinting at the necessity for a managerial change following a tumultuous 4-2 home defeat against Wolves.
In the aftermath of this social media episode, Belle Silva issued an apology subsequent to crunch talks with manager Mauricio Pochettino. The manager revealed these discussions with the 39-year-old, who now appears destined to depart Stamford Bridge in the upcoming summer.
Facing a pivotal FA Cup fourth-round replay at Villa Park, eyebrows were raised when Pochettino opted to exclude the former PSG and Milan star from the starting lineup. Lebouef, however, contends that the interaction between Silva and Pochettino during the game’s progression indicated a lack of lingering animosity between the player and the coach.
Lebouef shared his observations with ESPNFC, stating, “When everything goes wrong, you have a target, and the biggest and easiest one is the coach. Players are starting to criticize the coach, thinking that the tactics aren’t good and the choices aren’t good, but you have to take care of everything people are saying.”
Regarding Thiago Silva’s benching, Lebouef posits, “Did Thiago Silva’s wife really say that or not? I’m not sure about that. Thiago Silva has already been on the bench, and not because of his wife’s comments. It was because it was a tactic and because he’s 39 and needs a rest.”
As Silva made a late appearance in the game, Lebouef notes the cordial interaction between player and coach, asserting, “When he came on, I saw Pochettino putting his hand on his shoulder, and they were talking to each other. I didn’t see tension between them.”
Pochettino’s decision to reshape the defensive lineup was ultimately justified, with the central defensive pairing of Benoit Badiashile and Axel Disasi effectively nullifying Villa’s offensive endeavors. Goals from Conor Gallagher, Nicolas Jackson, and Enzo Fernandez secured Chelsea’s passage to the fifth round, where they are set to face Leeds United. Pochettino expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance, emphasizing the importance of unity and a collective fighting spirit.
