A number of Chelsea players reportedly feel that it would be more beneficial to have Thiago Silva as club captain.

Upon the arrival of Mauricio Pochettino as head coach, one of the first decisions of the Argentine was to decide who would hold the armband for the 2023-24 campaign.

Given his experience and status in the world game, Silva was naturally considered for the role, particularly when Chelsea were putting together a young squad.

Instead, Pochettino showed preference to handing leadership positions to academy graduates Reece James and Conor Gallagher, who were selected as captain and third-choice skipper respectively, with Ben Chilwell the deputy to James.

However, that plan has not worked out as anticipated, Pochettino having had to constantly hand that particularly duty around due to injuries to James and Chilwell.

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As a result, Gallagher - who has started all but one Premier League fixture this season - has been named as captain more times than he would have imagined in just his second campaign in the senior ranks.

Furthermore, Levi Colwill - another young Englishman from the academy - was named captain in Gallagher's absence for the 2-1 reverse at Manchester United last week.

According to The Guardian, there are players within the first team that have questioned why Silva has not been handed the reins.

The report suggests that there is a feeling that the 39-year-old has been disrespected to a certain degree, despite Pochettino retaining the backing of the squad in general.

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In the past, Pochettino has explained his decision, with the hint being that he wanted a domestic core and players who are more familiar with the club.

Nevertheless, it is claimed that some of the group think that Silva should have been given the responsibility of leading Chelsea on the pitch this campaign.

The Brazil international had been an ever-present in the squad until he dropped to the substitutes' bench for Sunday's 2-0 defeat at Everton in the Premier League.

With Silva due to turn 40 years of age in September, reports have indicated that he is unlikely to be handed a contract renewal and could leave on a free transfer in the summer.