Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Ikpeba doubts experienced Brazil international Thiago Silva can fix Chelsea’s defensive problems.
The former Paris Saint-Germain star was criticized for his performance in the wake of Chelsea’s 3-3 draw with West Brom, a game in which Frank Lampard’s team were three goals down at half-time before a sensational comeback in the second half.
Speaking on Super Sport’S Monday Night Football monitored by allnigeriasoccer.com, Ikpeba said : “Chelsea’s weakest point is the defence, how can they fix it? I am not so sure the Brazilian (Thiago Silva) can fix it, he’s about 35, 36 years old.
“The English Premier League is physically demanding, it is different from Ligue 1.”
Manager Lampard has taken steps to address the goalkeeping problem by bringing in édouard Mendy from Rennes to provide competition for Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Ikpeba has questioned the pedigree of the French-born Senegal international who played only 63 games in Ligue 1 before moving to Stamford Bridge and has less than ten international caps to his name.
The former Monaco striker continued : “For me the issue of Kepa, the goalkeeper, is a big problem, I think personally Lampard is not handling the situation very well.
“You brought in a new goalkeeper from Rennes, I hope he’s as good or better than Caballero, the second goalkeeper.
“If he cannot fix the goalkeeper area, I think they will have a lot of issues but defensively I don’t think this Chelsea side is solid enough.”
Ikpeba was in the Monaco side that held Manchester United to draws home and away in the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League in 1998.