Former Chelsea defender William Gallas has pinpointed the club's persistent failure to replace the experience of Thiago Silva as a critical flaw in their expensive rebuild.
The £1.5bn Defensive Problem
Speaking to OLGB, Gallas expressed his bewilderment that despite the Clearlake Consortium's investment of over £1.5 billion since taking over from Roman Abramovich, the Blues have neglected to fill the void left by the Brazilian legend. Silva joined the club on a free transfer under Frank Lampard in 2020 and became a pivotal leader before his departure.
"For me, it’s always a problem with a club that doesn’t have experienced players in the team," Gallas stated. "Thiago Silva was the captain of Chelsea, was a player who had more experience, and at the same time, he was helping the young defenders who were around him."
A Leadership Vacuum in Defence
Gallas argued that the current crop of defenders, including the first-choice pairing of Trevoh Chalobah and Wesley Fofana, along with Benoit Badiashile and exiled Axel Disasi, are suffering from a lack of guidance. He believes this is the "obvious weakness" for head coach Enzo Maresca.
"When he left, yes, they didn’t buy an experienced defender, that’s why the defenders have made some mistakes," Gallas continued. "The problem is when you are on the pitch, when you play against the big clubs, you need someone who is leading the defensive line. When I look at Chelsea, no one is leading that defense line."
He emphasised that without a vocal organiser, individual defenders become too internally focused, harming the unit's overall shape and resilience.
Advice for New Signing Jorrel Hato
Gallas also addressed the struggles of summer signing Jorrel Hato. The 19-year-old, bought from Ajax, was at fault for two goals in Chelsea's recent Champions League draw with Qarabag and has found it difficult to adapt.
"You have to fight," Gallas advised. "You came from Ajax and now you play for Chelsea. Chelsea is on another level... It’s a big club and when you play for the big club, you know it will be a big competition."
He urged the teenager to work hard and seize his next opportunity, but his overarching solution for Chelsea's issues is clear. Rather than pursuing another young prospect in the January transfer window, Gallas believes Maresca needs a proven, experienced centre-back to replicate the transformative impact Silva had under Lampard.
The former France international's comments highlight a significant strategic debate at Stamford Bridge, where colossal spending has yet to address a fundamental need for on-pitch leadership and defensive solidity.
