Chelsea players unhappy after Thiago Silva 'disrespected' by Mauricio Pochettino

Chelsea's players have been left perplexed by Mauricio Pochettino's decision not to make Thiago Silva the club's on-field captain in the absence of Reece James and Ben Chilwell.

James was given the armband at the start of the season following Cesar Azpilicueta's departure. In the process, Ben Chilwell was named as Chelsea's new vice-captain, acting as deputy for James.

However, James has struggled to stay fit since being handed the captaincy, having started just five Premier League matches so far this season. Now, the England international is facing another lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a hamstring injury during Chelsea's 2-0 defeat at Everton.

Meanwhile, Chilwell wore the captain's armband for three top-flight matches earlier this season, before sustaining a hamstring issue of his own back in September. He has not featured since and it's unknown when the former Leicester defender will return to action.

If Chilwell is not back, Conor Gallagher is expected to don the captaincy for Chelsea's game against Sheffield United on Saturday for the eighth time in the league this season. This would be ahead of experienced defender Thiago Silva, who has been snubbed by Pochettino in that regard.

And according to The Guardian, the Chelsea squad are said to be 'perplexed' by Silva not being made captain in the absence of James and Chilwell. Questions have been raised over the captaincy and there is a growing suggestion inside the dressing room that Silva has been 'disrespected'.

The initial expectation in the summer was that Silva would be made the club's new captain after Azpilicueta left upon the expiry of his contract. Silva, who turned 39 in September, is the most experienced member in a youthful Chelsea dressing room having clocked up 897 senior appearances during his career.

Speaking back in August after James was appointed ahead of Silva, Pochettino said: "This is a decision taken by me and the club. We are very pleased Reece will captain the side this season. He leads by example and his attitude and dedication to Chelsea has been clear throughout pre-season. He proudly wore the armband during our summer tour and will take up the challenge of leading our squad with his own approach and ideas."

Even when Gallagher, James and Chilwell were either not fit or in the starting XI against Manchester United, Pochettino handed the captaincy to 20-year-old defender Levi Colwill. This was the first time he had worn the armband, despite Silva lining up next to him in central defence.

It's understood there is 'unhappiness' surrounding Silva's situation which some players feel captures the club's current lack of direction. Chelsea currently sit 12th in the Premier League table and have lost three of their last four matches, including Sunday's drab defeat at Goodison Park.

Silva is out of contract at the end of the season and he refused to comment on his future when quizzed back in October. "This relationship has been going on for a long time," he told Globo Esporte at the time. "But I prefer to remain silent at this moment, as there has already been some controversy in the recent past.

"I now have a family, I have children. So we have to think about this aspect too. It’s about seeing where things can bring us happiness, to finish this beautiful and successful career that I believe I have achieved."