WHERE ARE THE CAPTAINS LEADERS LEGENDS?

Bridge says Thiago Silva is the only player who stands out nowadays - and he is 39

- ALAN SMITH

TWENTY years ago Wayne Bridge was part of an influx of young talent at Chelsea.

But the key difference between then and the Blues' recent overhaul is the squad Bridge (right) joined contained a host of leaders to nurture the likes of Joe Cole and Damien Duff.

That 2004 team was packed with proven big-game performers such as Marcel Desailly (below, left), William Gallas (below, right) and Claude Makelele.

Yet, when Bridge looks at the current crop, the only leader he sees among all the youth is 39-year-old Thiago Silva (main picture above).

And the absence of more inspirational figures is the primary reason why Mauricio Pochettino is struggling to get a consistent tune out of his £1billion team.

Bridge said: "When I went there, I was 23. We were young, but had a bit of experience and a few seasons under our belt.