BREAKING NEWS: reporting live from Stamford bridge, Chelsea legend John Terry tells fans not to expect anything new from Chelsea this season and has Also criticized the club for not finding a suitable replacement for Thiago Silva. He said, “If you want to be a successful club, if you want to challenge and compete in the Premier League, you must have a good defence. The Chelsea defence isn’t good. I can’t understand how the club can allow Thiago Silva to go and not think that they need to bring in someone that can run the backline with authority.” The Chelsea defence is missing a top-class centre back. They need someone to guide them – John Terry says one key area of Chelsea squad is not good.

Former Chelsea defender John Terry has expressed significant concern over the club’s inability to strengthen its defense during the summer transfer window. As a prominent figure in Chelsea’s history and now a football pundit, Terry openly criticized the club for not securing an appropriate replacement for Thiago Silva, who was a crucial leader in Chelsea’s defense for several seasons.

Thiago Silva joined Chelsea in 2020 and quickly became a central figure, both on and off the pitch. His contributions were vital in Chelsea’s 2020-21 UEFA Champions League win, where his defensive leadership solidified the team. Despite his age, Silva maintained a high level of performance and continued to be the backbone of Chelsea’s defense. However, with Silva no longer part of the squad, Terry believes that Chelsea lacks an experienced, world-class center-back capable of managing the defense in the way Silva did.

In an interview with *FOOTBALLWAVE*, Terry expressed his concerns, explaining, “To compete at the highest level, especially in a league as competitive as the Premier League, a strong defense is essential. Right now, Chelsea’s defense isn’t up to the mark. I can’t understand how they let Thiago Silva leave without ensuring that they had someone capable of leading the backline.”

Terry further elaborated that while Chelsea has talented young defenders like Levi Colwill and Wesley Fofana, it’s unrealistic to expect them to take complete control of the defense without the guidance of a more seasoned leader. “Both Colwill and Fofana are highly talented,” he said, “but they’re still developing and need someone with experience to guide them through the challenges of the Premier League.”

Terry also emphasized the importance of a strong defensive foundation for any successful team. “Even if you have attackers who can score goals, without a solid defense, you’re bound to concede, and that will cost you points. That’s exactly what we saw against Crystal Palace,” he stated, highlighting the club’s recent struggles in defense.

Chelsea’s next match is against Bournemouth on September 14 in the Premier League, and Terry’s comments have drawn attention to the urgency of addressing the team’s defensive weaknesses.

**Terry’s Frustration with Chelsea’s Draw Against Crystal Palace**

Terry also expressed disappointment following Chelsea’s recent 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace, criticizing the team for its inconsistent performances and lack of confidence. Under new manager Enzo Maresca, Chelsea’s start to the 2024-25 Premier League season has been uneven. After suffering a 2-0 defeat to Manchester City in their opening match, Chelsea responded with a dominant 6-2 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers. However, they failed to build on that momentum, resulting in the frustrating draw with Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge.

According to Terry, the constant changes within the squad over the last couple of years have significantly affected Chelsea’s performance. In the same interview with *FOOTBALLWAVE*, he said, “As a Chelsea fan, especially after a big win like the 6-2 result against Wolves, you’d expect the team to carry that form into a match like the one against Crystal Palace. Historically, that would’ve been an easy three points at home.”

Terry pointed out that just a few years ago, Chelsea fans would have confidently expected their team to defeat a side like Crystal Palace, especially at home. However, the lack of consistency in both team selection and performance, coupled with the absence of key players in crucial positions, has shaken that confidence. “They’re missing that winning mentality,” Terry remarked. “The inconsistency we’re seeing now comes from constant changes and the absence of top-quality players in vital positions.”

He further explained that although Chelsea might have occasional brilliant performances, the frequent instability in the squad makes it difficult for them to maintain high standards over the course of a season. Terry’s analysis mirrors the growing frustration among Chelsea supporters who are eager for the club to return to the dominant form it once had.

As Chelsea looks ahead to their upcoming game against Bournemouth, the focus will undoubtedly be on whether the team can resolve their defensive issues and deliver a more cohesive, confident display. Terry’s criticism has only intensified the debate surrounding the need for an experienced central defender, and all eyes will be on how Chelsea addresses these shortcomings in their quest to climb the Premier League table.