Frank Lampard responds to Thiago Silva’s criticism of Todd Boehly

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Chelsea interim boss Frank Lampard insists Thiago Silva is entitled to his opinion after the Chelsea defender criticised the club’s owners in the wake of last week’s Champions League exit.

What did Thiago Silva say?

Silva said: “I think the first step has been made. An incorrect step, but it has been made. We can’t be blaming the managers if we don’t take responsibility. It’s a hard period for the club, with a lot of indecision.

“Change of ownership, new players arriving – we had to increase the size of the changing room because it didn’t fit the size of the squad. A positive point is that there are amazing players in the squad but on the other hand there are always players that are going to be unhappy.

“There is always going to be someone upset because not everyone can play. The manager can only pick 11 from a squad of 30-something – that’s tough.

“Some can’t make the squad, we signed eight in January, we need to stop and put a strategy in place otherwise next season we could make the same mistakes.”

Silva also dismissed suggestions that a new manager could immediately improve Chelsea’s situation.

“Everybody talks too much about replacing managers. I think we, as players, must also take responsibility,” Silva said. “We have had three managers this season, plus a fourth with Bruno where we failed to win.

“We have lost today and with Lampard we have failed to win. Everybody is talking about the manager but we must look at what has been done wrong and try to change.”

Asked for his response ahead of tomorrow’s west London derby, Lampard issued a blunt response, saying: “That’s Thiago’s statement.”