Silva’s Popularity Soars Among Chelsea Fans, but Stats Reveal Surprising Benefits of His Absence
Thiago Silva, the veteran centre-back for Chelsea, has become a fan favorite at Stamford Bridge due to his outstanding performances since joining the team in 2020. Silva has been an instrumental part of Chelsea’s success, helping them win the Champions League, Super Cup, and Club World Cup. However, recent statistics have revealed that Chelsea tends to perform better when Silva is not in the lineup.
Despite his vast experience and popularity among fans, Silva was named on the bench for Chelsea’s FA Cup fourth-round replay against Aston Villa. He eventually came on for the final ten minutes of the match. This decision to keep him on the bench came after Silva’s wife, Belle, took to social media during Chelsea’s 4-2 defeat to Wolves to call for manager Mauricio Pochettino to leave the club. Pochettino and Silva have since held clear-the-air talks, and Belle issued an apology before Chelsea’s win against Villa.
Despite the controversy surrounding Silva’s absence from the starting lineup, Chelsea fans showed their unwavering support for him by singing his name throughout the match at Villa Park. Silva is highly regarded among Blues fans and is immensely popular in west London.
However, the surprising revelation from Wednesday night’s crucial victory is that Chelsea tends to fare better when Silva is not in the team. Statistics from this season across all competitions show that Silva has started in 25 matches but has been left out of the first XI on seven occasions. Chelsea’s win rate with Silva stands at 36 percent, significantly lower than their 86 percent win rate without him. Furthermore, the Blues have lost 40 percent of the matches in which Silva has played, compared to just 14 percent without him.
One interesting aspect is that while Silva’s appearances have seen Chelsea score an average of 1.72 goals per game, which is only slightly higher than 1.71 goals per game without him, it is their defense that significantly improves when he is absent. Chelsea concedes an average of 0.71 goals per game without Silva, but this number rises to 1.72 when he is in the lineup.
It is important to note that correlation does not always imply causation, and there could be other factors at play. Silva has been a reliable asset in defense, making 145 appearances for the Blues over four seasons. However, Chelsea’s success in the recent FA Cup match against Villa, where they won 3-1, suggests that they can perform well even without Silva on the field. Conor Gallagher and Nicolas Jackson scored to put Chelsea 2-0 up at half-time, and a stunning Enzo Fernandez free-kick sealed their spot in the FA Cup fifth round. Although Moussa Diaby pulled one back for Villa in stoppage time, it was not enough to inspire a comeback.
Chelsea’s next challenge in the FA Cup will be against Leeds, as they look to secure silverware this season. With or without Silva, the team will undoubtedly give their best to achieve their goals.
In conclusion, Thiago Silva’s popularity among Chelsea fans is undeniable, given his exceptional performances and contributions to the team’s success. However, recent statistics have shed light on the surprising benefits of his absence from the starting lineup. While Silva’s inclusion in the team has resulted in a slightly higher goal-scoring rate, Chelsea’s defensive record significantly improves when he is not on the field. Whether this correlation implies causation or not remains to be seen, but Chelsea’s recent victory in the FA Cup suggests that they are capable of performing well without Silva. As they continue their quest for silverware this season, Chelsea will undoubtedly rely on their talented squad, with or without their beloved veteran defender.