Former Premier League manager Alan Pardew thinks Chelsea would be even worse without Thiago Silva.

Chelsea lost 2-0 to Everton yesterday and Thiago Silva was left on the bench for the first time in the Premier League this season.

And Alan Pardew, speaking on talkSPORT after the game, suggested that Chelsea are a much weaker side without him.

Their loss at Goodison Park has seen them drop to 12th in the Premier League table.

While he could not get his name on the scoresheet, former Wales defender Sam Ricketts thought Cole Palmer still had a good game for the Blues.

Alan Pardew on Chelsea and Thiago Silva

Pardew thinks Chelsea’s starting XI would be even worse without Silva in it.

Discussing the Brazilian on talkSPORT, he said: “You look at the back four, and you have to say that Silva… I don’t know, he’s like 38 or something, 47, whatever he is. Take him out of the team and you think, ‘Wow, the team looks even weaker without him.’ “

Are Chelsea a weaker side without Thiago Silva?

If yesterday’s showing against Everton is anything to go by, then yes.

Of course, Chelsea have obviously lost games with Silva in the team this season, while he has made a couple of mistakes of late.

However, the Brazil international has also delivered in some of Chelsea’s big games this term, while he brings experience and leadership to Mauricio Pochettino‘s team. Things most players in this young squad cannot at this moment in time.

Silva scored an important goal in the 4-4 draw with Manchester City last month and recently made 10 clearances in a 3-2 home win against Brighton & Hove Albion, which was the most in the game (WhoScored).

It would not be a surprise, then, if Pochettino quickly restored Silva to his starting XI.

The Brazil international is not going to be at Stamford Bridge forever. His contract, which is worth £110,000 a week (Spotrac), expires at the end of the campaign. But while he is here, Pochettino should continue to utilise everything that he brings to the table.