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Chelsea: 2021’s best XI is already settled, said, and done

By Michael DeVito

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 22: Frank Lampard manager of Chelsea celebrates his teams victory over Spurs during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on February 22, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 22: Frank Lampard manager of Chelsea celebrates his teams victory over Spurs during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on February 22, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /
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Chelsea’s French defender Kurt Zouma (L) vies with Liverpool’s Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Salah during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on July 22, 2020. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by LAURENCE GRIFFITHS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Chelsea’s French defender Kurt Zouma (L) vies with Liverpool’s Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Salah during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on July 22, 2020. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by LAURENCE GRIFFITHS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

Central Defense: Thiago Silva and Kurt Zouma

Thiago Silva is the senior statesman of the Chelsea defense and the Chelsea team for that matter. Absent an early-season gaffe, Silva has been as advertised and more since coming over after his contract lapsed at Paris Saint-Germain. Any votes for a Silva signing have been rewarded by a golden performance by the multi-title-winning Brazilian. Not only has his performance been outstanding, but his patriarchal calm and controlled presence have made his partner even better raising his game to new heights, as well.

Frank Lampard has managed the 35-year-old Brazilian’s appearances masterfully. Overuse cannot be allowed to happen and that can be a problem when the level of the player’s performance is as good as Silva’s has been. The argument exists and has been floated for the acquisition of another top younger central defender as the third man in a top rotation if you happen to feel that option is not currently available to Lampard. That’s a subject for a discussion another time perhaps. But if a new third rotational central defender is added to the mix, e.g. in January, it could work out just fine for the Blues, assuming one or more of the current players at that position on the squad are moving out.

The other starter is without a doubt Kurt “Air Zouma”.  With Silva’s amazing composure and under his seeming tutelage, Zouma has raised his game to a new outstanding level. He’s matured as a defender, not subject to mistakes so often, and has taken his air game to a whole new level. Zouma has the ability to get his head on the ball and win an amazing percentage of duels in the air due to a truly magnificent vertical leaping ability. That’s a physical talent that can’t be taught. You either have it or you don’t and “Air Zouma” has it in abundance. It says here that he’s as good as anyone maybe in the Premier League and possibly even the world in his ability to win challenges in the air. In addition, and this is really of more recent vintage, is his ability on corner kicks to get his headers on target and into the back of the net. Four goals in 10 Premier League appearances. It doesn’t get much better than that from any central defender.

Zouma has been around for a long time at Chelsea yet he’s still only 26 years old and just now entering his prime. He’s matured and is now one of the top central defenders in the Premier League. It was no wonder that Jose Mourinho, the master craftsman, reportedly wanted to steal Zouma in the transfer window for his excellent Tottenham side. Glad that one didn’t happen. Zouma is now a fixture at central defense and hopefully will be for years to come for the Blues.

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