Chelsea hero reacts to Pochettino’s decision to bench Thiago Silva

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Frank Leboeuf has insisted that Mauricio Pochettino’s decision to bench Thiago Silva during Chelsea’s Wednesday FA Cup replay with Aston Villa had nothing to do with the player’s wife’s comments.

Silva was dropped to the bench just days after his wife seemed to call for the sacking of Pochettino, following Chelsea’s back to back losses to Liverpool and Wolves in the Premier League.

Ahead of the 3-1 win at Villa, Pochettino said the decision was purely tactical, and Leboeuf seems to agree.

“When everything goes wrong you have a target and the biggest and easiest one is the coach,” the World Cup winner told ESPN FC.

“Players are starting to criticize the coach thinking that the tactics aren’t good and the choices aren’t good but you have to take care of everything people are saying.

“Did Thiago Silva’s wife really say that or not? I’m not sure about that.

“Thiago Silva has already been on the bench and not because of his wife’s comments. It was because it was a tactic and because he’s 39 and needs a rest.

“It was more that. When he came on I saw Pochettino putting his hand on his shoulder and they were talking to each other I didn’t see a tension between them.”