Thiago Silva breaks his silence on Jorginho's exit from Chelsea as he says the club have 'lost one of our great leaders' following Italian's decision to switch loyalties and join Arsenal on deadline day

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Thiago Silva has admitted Chelsea's players did not expect Jorginho to leave after the Italian joined Arsenal on deadline day.

The Italian midfielder's £12m move to the Premier League leaders was confirmed on Tuesday. 

Silva outlined his disappointment at his former colleague's decision but insisted 'it happens' in football.

Brazilian stalwart Silva, one of Chelsea's biggest dressing room leaders, is confident Graham Potter's side will move on given their own huge spending, but admitted other players will have to 'make up for his absence'.

'It was for a direct competitor, but these are football things, it happens,' Silva told ESPN Brasil.

Chelsea defender Thiago Silva (right) believes Jorginho (left) will be a huge loss for the club

Former Chelsea midfielder Jorginho joined Arsenal in a deadline day move worth £12m

'He wanted to stay in England because he has family here. There are things that we have no control over, but we have to understand the player's side of things.

'I know we have a lot of work ahead of us, especially as we have lost one of our great leaders in the dressing room.

'Jorginho is a guy who spoke a lot and this hole will remain, but we have to move on.

'We didn't expect him to leave, but it has happened. We have to make up for his absence in the best possible way.'

Former Chelsea vice-captain Jorginho arrived at Stamford Bridge from Napoli in 2018 in a deal worth £50m. He went on to feature 213 times for club, scoring 29 goals and registering nine assists.

However, the 31-year-old has struggled for form and regular minutes under Potter- with the Blues currently sitting 10th in the Premier League table and looking out of the race for Champions League qualification.

During his time with Chelsea, he won the Champions League, a Europa League, a Super Cup and a Club World Cup. 

Silva insists that Chelsea 'have lost a huge leader' following the Italian's departure

Jorginho (left) opted to leave Chelsea following a poor run of form with the Blues

On his decision to switch London loyalties, Jorginho said: 'I'm very excited for this new challenge, and I just can't wait to be on the pitch to be honest!

'Everything has happened so fast. I was a bit surprised, but I took the opportunity of this amazing challenge.

'He [Arteta] was a big influence because I know that he tried a few times to get me before and it didn't happen due to other reasons, not because of my wishes. So of course, he had a big influence.'