Former Manchester United and Manchester City midfielder, Owen Hargreaves believes the leadership of Chelsea under co-owner Todd Boehly has made another mistake after the Blues announced veteran defender Thiago Silva would leave the west London club at the end of the season.
It was confirmed on Monday that the 39-year-old Brazilian would end his four-year spell at Stamford Bridge this summer.
Silva joined Chelsea on a free transfer in 2020 and went on to help the Premier League club win three trophies, including the UEFA Champions League.
It is not clear if Chelsea tried to persuade the former AC Milan centre-back to sign a contract extension.
However, Hargreaves feels Chelsea hierarchy should have done everything in their power to keep the player at the club because his presence in the dressing alone is ‘priceless.’
“Chelsea should have kept him on. I think they should have kept him,” Hargreaves said on Premier League Productions.
“The reason why they are struggling this season is because they have no leaders, no experienced players.
“They need more of them, not less. You don’t let the guy go who’s won the Champions League and been one of the best centre-backs of all time.
“He could have stayed to mentor all those brilliant young centre-backs they have, like Colwill, Badiashile and Disasi.
“Having players like Thiago Silva in the dressing room is priceless. A guy like Thiago, who has been there and done it, he doesn’t fold in the big moments.
“He can still play. I think he’ll go back to Brazil and play there. It’s so important to have mentors when you come through – that guy would be the best mentor ever.”
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