Cody Gakpo has a confession that might make Chelsea fans smile and Liverpool fans nervously refresh their stats apps: he’s never scored or assisted against the Blues. Zero. Zilch. Nada. And yet, this weekend at Stamford Bridge, he has another shot at breaking that duck. But here’s the kicker—his biggest nightmare in a Chelsea shirt, Thiago Silva, isn’t around anymore.
The Brazilian wall may be playing samba football back home, but his reputation lives rent-free in Gakpo’s head. When questioned on the most difficult opponent, he was not in two minds: “Thiago Silva. Snort, snatch, and nasty.
Cody Gakpo and the Thiago Silva problem
If you’re wondering why Gakpo struggled, picture running into a 41-year-old chess master who just happens to be built like an oak tree. That was Silva. He never sprinted much, but somehow always arrived at the exact spot Gakpo wanted to occupy. It was like trying to beat your granddad at Ludo—somehow, he just knows.
According to sources, Chelsea still haven’t replaced him. They’ve got young defenders brimming with potential, but none with Silva’s gravitas. You can’t teach that kind of defensive clairvoyance; you’re either born with it or you’re watching Sergio Ramos highlight reels at 2 a.m.
Author’s opinion: Cody Gakpo has no excuses now
Here’s the truth—if Gakpo doesn’t deliver against Chelsea this weekend, it’s time to ask harder questions. No Silva. A leaky Chelsea backline. Liverpool at the summit with flying. This is the time to revise the story, in case there was an opportunity.
But be true to it: football is malevolently humorous. The more you expect, the more the game trolls you. So while the script screams “Gakpo redemption,” don’t be shocked if some 19-year-old Chelsea defender we barely know turns into Paolo Maldini for 90 minutes.
Gakpo and Stamford Bridge showdown
So here we are: Chelsea eighth, Liverpool first, Gakpo goalless in seven meetings. Will he finally score? Or will Stamford Bridge continue to be his personal Bermuda Triangle? One thing’s certain—without Thiago Silva, he’s officially out of excuses.
As featured on Chelseanews.com
