Thiago Silva: The Silver Lining for Chelsea as Veteran Defender Is Ruled out For Weeks

• Thiago Silva picked up knee ligament damage in Chelsea’s defeat to Tottenham on Sunday
• The club has confirmed the veteran defender will be out for up to six weeks due to recovery
• Graham Potter may now have to heavily rely on Wesley Fofana in defence in coming weeks

Chelsea were recently dealt a devastating blow as Thiago Silva was ruled out of action for up to six weeks with knee ligament damage.

The 38-year-old veteran defender only lasted 19 minutes in the London derby against Tottenham Hotspur and had to be replaced by Wesley Fofana.

On February 28, Chelsea released a statement that did not specifically give a time frame on Silva’s injury but the club expects him to be out for more than a month.

"Having sustained a knee injury during the first half of Sunday's match against Tottenham Hotspur, Thiago underwent further assessment and a scan on his return to the training centre on Monday," read a statement by the club, as quoted by Sky Sports.

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The statement added scan results from the assessments had confirmed damage to Silva's knee ligaments.

"...He will now work closely with the club's medical department during his rehabilitation to return to action as soon as possible."

The ‘Silva’ lining

Silva’s injury definitely sums up Chelsea’s fortunes this season, as the Blues languish in 10th place in the Premier League after the defeat to Spurs.

They are also on the brink of a Champions League exit after a 1-0 round of 16 first leg defeat to Borussia Dortmund and pressure continues to pile up on Graham Potter, who has overseen his side’s three defeats on the trot.

However, there is another way of looking at Silva’s injury, as it provides a massive chance for Chelsea to perhaps make adjustments in defence which they may not even know they need.

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The defender's replacement on Sunday, Fofana could end up becoming a crucial part of Chelsea’s turnaround this season in particular.

The ex-Leicester City man is yet to live up to his £70 million fee which the Blues paid in the summer, but the absence of Silva could mean he has no option but to ‘up’ his game.

Graham Potter also has centre-backs Kalidou Koulibaly, Trevoh Chalobah, and Benoit Badiashile to choose from, although Badiashile is not eligible to feature in the Champions League.

According to Transfermkt, Fofana has only made eight appearances as a Chelsea player; six in the league and two in the Champions League.