Chelsea's conundrum: A BETTER win percentage without Tiago Silva this season
It's been a season of ups and downs for Thiago Silva in what looks to be his final season at Chelsea - but he still has a chance to end his spell with silverware ahead of the Carabao Cup final this weekend.
The 39-year-old's contract expires this summer and looks likely to end his four-year spell at Stamford Bridge, though he has still been a key figure for Chelsea in the heart of defence this season.
The Brazilian has been using his experience to guide new faces who have arrived at the back over the last year, including Axel Disasi, Benoit Badiashille - as well as youngsters Levi Colwill and Alfie Gilchrist.
But after missing the club's 1-1 draw away at Man City due to injury on Saturday, the veteran defender will be racing to return to full fitness for the huge showdown against Liverpool at Wembley Stadium - and manager Pochettino has a real dilemma on whether to select him.
It has been a difficult season for Silva, who has been a part of a Chelsea side that have leaked goals - with the Blues shipping 41 in a topsy-turvy first campaign under Mauricio Pochettino - while he has also been in the headlines off the pitch.
His wife Isabelle has come under fire for taking aim at Chelsea players and even calling for Pochettino to be sacked - being forced to apologise for her comments on social media.
Silva has been called into question at times this season after being involved in a handful of painful defeats - including crushing back-to-back losses that saw them ship eight goals against both Liverpool and Wolves.
For the impressive 1-1 draw at Premier League champions City, he was replaced by Colwill and Disasi, who impressed by frustrating the home side, with City leaving it late through Rodri after cancelling out Raheem
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