Frank Lampard has explained why Thiago Silva is absent from Chelsea's clash with Newcastle United today.
The experienced centre-half was a noticeable absentee from the Blues line-up for the fixture at St James' Park having impressed in the early stages of the season.
But there is nothing to worry about, according to Frank Lampard, who has made the decision to rest Silva following the defender's international outings with Brazil.
Silva played in both of Brazil's World Cup qualifiers during the break, helping his national team defeat Uruguay and Venezuela.
He now sits out for Chelsea's clash with Newcastle but will likely return to the frame for the Champions League clash with Rennes on Tuesday.
“He travelled back from South America. It was a long journey, so I think it was the right thing to do," Lampard told BT Sport ahead of the game.
"We’ve got centre-backs, Toni Rudiger comes in, so you want players to come in and keep the same levels.
"Thiago has set a fantastic standard, but we have to look after him because of his age.”
Silva, who joined Chelsea on a free transfer from PSG in the summer, had already played five of the Blues' first eight Premier League games of the season, impressing in what has been a very respectable start to the season from Lampard's men.
As Lampard eluded to, Antonio Rudiger came in to replace Silva for the clash with Newcastle.
Rudiger hadn't featured in a Premier League game for Chelsea prior to the trip to Newcastle but he gets his chance today having been linked with a January exit from Stamford Bridge.
The German was tipped to join Spurs on loan in the winter window but opted to stay put. Fresh reports suggest he could depart on a permanent deal in the winter window, but he now has a chance to prove himself to Lampard with a bright performance on Tyneside.
