Thiago Silva hits out at team selection amid Chelsea vs Arsenal dilemma for Mauricio Pochettino
Given the international break that Chelsea have had Mauricio Pochettino would be justified in thinking that it's good news to have Thiago Silva at Cobham for the past two weeks. The 39-year-old, unlike his fellow South American stars in the squad, will be fully rested come the 5.30pm kick-off against Arsenal on Saturday.
As has been the case for Pochettino already this season,Chelsea have struggled to make up for the fatigue and injuries to Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo following long journeys back from matches with their country. However, for the second time in a row, Pochettino will be able to call upon Silva without much worry.
As the oldest outfield player in the league currently and with the demand placed on him by his club as high as ever, Silva needs more looking after than most. He is already one of three players to play every minute of every game and looks set to be central to plans in defence when the Gunners come to town in two days' time.
For Silva, though, this mini-break is not something that he has brought on himself. “I didn’t make any decision. Let’s make that very clear. I didn’t make any decision not to go to the national team,” he told ESPN Brazil. After 113 caps for his country Silva has now found himself missing out.
Since the World Cup last year, a tournament that he played a huge role in for Tite's side,he has been left out of every squad since with interim manager Fernando Diniz not choosing to go with the experience and aged legs. Instead, it has been Eder Militao, Gabriel Magalhaes, Marquinhos and Gleison Bremer, fitness depending.
“It’s not my decision," Silva hit back. «I’m always available when the CBF calls up. It’s already stated at the end of the line that it’s a call-up, you have to go.
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