Mauricio Pochettino has been picking sides every week since being Chelsea manager, and never he will feel like he has had everyone to choose from.
Injuries have plagued the Blues as badly as anyone this season, and when the League Cup final came round, he was missing a number of key players.
The likes of Reece James, Wesley Fofana and Christopher Nkunku have been long-term issues, whereas many have been on and off the treatment table all season.
For this reason in particular, picking a consistent side, has proven somewhat of a challenge for Pochettino, and has probably brought on criticism that he doesn’t really deserve.
One of the players who was injured ahead of the Cup final was Thiago Silva, and his experience was daily missed as the game approach the crucial stages.
Chelsea missed Silva in the EFL Cup Final
A young Chelsea side saw themselves brandished Billion-Pound Bottlejobs for their showing late on against Liverpool, and you can’t help but think Silva’s presence at the back would have been helpful in those moments.
While it looks as if he is entering the final few months of his Chelsea career, it still feels like there is a role he can play, particularly if the manager pushes through with a recently seen new system.
Silva could be perfect for new system
The Argentine looked to use a back three for the recent Premier League game against Brentford.
Silva was an unused substitute that day, however has proven in the past that in his veteran years he provides some of his best performances in a back three.
For this reason, it would seem strange that the boss hasn’t at least given this a go yet, although maybe is waiting for the big games to roll around.
His teammates are well aware of the quality he can still bring. Conor Gallagher described him as ‘massive’ earlier this season.
They now know they will face Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley, where they will be defending resolutely again. Perhaps a change in system could be the key to turning one of those draws into a win.