Mauricio Pochettino responds to Thiago Silva's 'career's almost over' comments

Thiago Silva is out of contract at the end of the season (Photo: Getty)

Mauricio Pochettino has suggested that Thiago Silva’s Chelsea future is in his own hands after the player admitted his career was ‘almost over’.

Silva may turn 40 in September but he has shown little sign of slowing down as he continues to perform at the highest level.

The veteran centre-back has played the full 90 minutes in all but two of Chelsea’s 21 Premier League fixtures this season, and provides much-needed leadership and experience to a youthful Blues side.

But given his age, there has been much speculation around whether he’ll still be at Stamford Bridge next season, with his contract set to expire in the summer, with Pochettino previously saying the club were not in talks over a new deal.

Following the victory over Middlesbrough on Tuesday night, which qualified Chelsea for the Carabao Cup final, Silva said of his playing career: ‘We know it’s almost over, but it’s not the end yet. Now, the future belongs to God.

‘Let’s finish well here, these four months and see what happens going forward, but I’m super relaxed about that.’

Asked about these comments during his pre-match conference ahead of Chelsea’s FA Cup fourth-round clash against Aston Villa, Pochettino admitted: ‘I didn’t hear what he said after the game.

Pochettino is leaving Silva’s destiny in his own hands (Photo: Getty)

‘We didn’t talk about the next season. Because I didn’t hear, I don’t know what I can say about that. Only he knows and the club if it’s going to be his last season or not.

‘I think always we talk about the present. It’s important for him to keep fit.

‘With his age, he’s doing fantastic. We are so happy with him. What is going to happen in the future, that’s for him.’

Silva joined Chelsea on a free from PSG in 2020, winning the Champions League in his first season, with a Club World Cup triumph and runs to the FA Cup and Carabao Cup final in the following campaign.

In all, the Brazil legend has made 142 appearances for the Blues so far, and was named the club’sPlayer of the Year and Player’s Player of the Year for 2022/23.

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