Mauricio Pochettino says Chelsea defender is getting valuable coaching experience by being on the bench

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino says Thiago Silva could benefit from being sat beside him as he thinks about life after football. The Brazilian will be 40 in September and his minutes on the field have dried up lately.

Thiago joined Chelsea under Frank Lampard in 2020 to provide experience to a young team but he's more than exceeded expectations, winning the Champions and being a key member of squad under Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter, and now Pochettino.

He's played 23 league games this season, incredile for a man counting down the months before he turns 40 but Pochettino who refused to point to his age as reason for his recent reduced time on the field says there is some lesson for him to pick up even when he's not on the field.

He told the press: "It is a good experience for him and the kids also. If he wants to be a coach, he experiences a very good time."

Trevoh Chalobah has forced his way back into reconing and Axel Disasi has been ever present in the Chelsea set up but Pochettino insisits his selection is based on form and perfomers rather than anything else.

He added: "No, he got injured and he cannot be available before the final and in the final. He got injured against Palace, then after he was available to play and arrived Trevoh Chalobah and he was performing well. That’s it. It was only a decision to play with one or another.

"I agree with you, we need to respect everyone and he has my 100 percent respect. Only we need to choose and before was Disasi, Levi and now he is injured. Even for Levi, if he comes back tomorrow, I could decide to play with Chalobah because he is playing well. For me, it is about performing and deserving to play. It is not about the name or experience or because he is a legend or not a legend."