Thiago Silva: A transfer gamble and leader of men who exceeded all expectations - and leaves a Chelsea legend
Thiago Silva’s departure from Chelsea will be peaceful and amicable but the club will undoubtedly miss his presence.
The 39-year-old defender showed genuine emotion in a well-produced and authentic announcement video released by the club on Monday, in which he broke down in tears upon confirming that he would leave the club at the end of the season.
Despite not speaking fluent English, Silva has enjoyed his time at Chelsea so much that he will likely make west London his family home when he retires.
His sons, Iago and Isago, both play in the academy teams at Cobham and his wife is an approachable celebrity who talks to fans at both home and away matches.
Silva left Paris Saint-Germain for Chelsea on a free transfer in 2020, a move that left Thomas Tuchel furious at club officials because the then-PSG coach wanted to keep him.
Thiago Silva (R) with the Champions League trophy (Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
Internally, some at Stamford Bridge saw the Frank Lampard-driven move as a gamble, as Silva was 34 and seen as being discarded by the French giants.
But in a remarkable twist of fate, Tuchel joined Chelsea and won Silva his first Champions League, the trophy that had eluded the pair when they lost the previous year’s final.
During a four-year spell, he also won the Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup while making 151 appearances. He built bonds with supporters and was idolised by his teammates, including defenders Reece James, Andreas Christensen, Benoit Badiashile, Axel Disasi and Wesley Fofana.
Even at Aston Villa on Saturday, Silva was lauded by teammates for delivering a half-time speech in the dressing room to help the team come back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2.
Silva’s exit has been harmonious behind the scenes. This is despite the Brazilian being the only player to openly, and perhaps rightly, criticise Chelsea’s new Boehly-Clearlake ownership group for leaving the club with a bloated 42-man squad when finishing 12th in the Premier League.
It feels like a natural ending for all parties ahead of Silva turning 40 in September.
The centre-back wants to continue playing for at least one more year and, although Mauricio Pochettino’s back-four system is achieving the objective of scoring more goals, it is exposing the veteran’s lack of pace.
Chelsea want to sign another centre-back this summer and also have Levi Colwill, Benoit Badiashile, Wesley Fofana and Axel Disasi on their books.
It will be more off the field where Silva is going to be missed. This young squad lacks leaders while the current captain and vice-captain, James and Ben Chilwell, keep getting injured.
But, after initially thinking he would only serve a year at the Bridge, Silva will leave Chelsea as arguably a club legend and certainly with the respect of everyone in English football.
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