Chelsea’s Wembley conundrum: The Blues have a BETTER win percentage without Thiago Silva this season – but do the other stats agree he should sit it out after wife Isabelle’s outburst?

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.

Thiago Silva is looking to return to the Chelsea side ahead of the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool this weekend

The Brazilian is still a trusted member of Pochettino’s first team squad but may face a battle to get back in the starting XI for this weekend

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 Sterling‘s opener. 

The pair also did well to keep out lethal finisher Erling Haaland as they took home a vital point back to Stamford Bridge.

Silva has been in the headlines this season after his wife Isabelle criticised his team-mates and even called for Pochettino to be sacked

Chelsea have a better win percentage without the Brazilian this season – but concede fewer shots when he is in the team  

Silva had also been missing for Chelsea’s eye-catching 3-1 win away at high-fliers Aston Villa in the FA Cup earlier this month, with Colwill and Badishile deputising on that occasion. 

Pundit Jamie Carragher claimed that Silva could struggle to earn his place back in the team after missing the City game through injury – but how have Chelsea fared with and without him?  

Chelsea have played 29 games with Silva this season, winning thirteen of those and losing ten in figures provided by Opta. 

The Blues have only had five games without Silva but when the Brazilian has been out of the team they have won three times, losing one and drawing one. 

Crucially that translates to a win percentage of 60 per cent without Silva compared to 44.8 per cent with him in the side. 

Axel Disasi (L) and Levi Colwill (R) deputised for Silva during their 1-1 draw at Man City and could be picked ahead of him for the final

Chelsea have also conceded fewer goals on average without Silva – 0.8 compared to 1.4 when he plays. 

But Silva – who has started 22 times in the Premier League this term – has ensured that Chelsea have had less shots against them per game, with 14 on average  compared to 12.3 when he is in the team. 

Though Silva is a defender, Chelsea are also scoring more on average (1.9) and having more possession (61.2 per cent).

It came after Carragher expressed doubt over Silva’s future after being sidelined through injury and believes it will be ‘difficult’ for him to get back in the team. 

‘Couple of away games, you go back to Aston Villa in the cup and here today, Thiago Silva has not been involved and he’s been brilliant for chelsea since he’s come in,’ he said. 

Silva has played nearly 150 games for Chelsea and has won three trophies – including the Champions League in 2021 – but his contract is up this summer

‘His contract is up at the end of the season and when you see those who play in there together, I think it makes it very difficult for Thiago Silva to get back into the team between now and the end of the season unless someone gets injured. 

‘I think Chelsea got to start building something for the future. There’s not an awful lot to play for after the (Carabao) Cup final. I think looking at those as a partnership and maybe another younger centre back. 

‘I think the days of Thiago Silva playing for Chelsea has got to come to an end.’ 

Silva has made a total of 146 appearances for Chelsea since joining from PSG on an initial one-year deal three-and-a-half years ago, scoring eight times.

During that time he has enjoyed a handful of special trophy wins – including the Champions League in 2021, the UEFA Super Cup and the CLub World Cup.