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Chelsea’s veteran defender Thiago Silva has announced that this will be his last game at Stamford Bridge this season.
The 39-year-old Brazilian, a mainstay of the Blues side who lifted the Champions League in 2021, revealed the news on social media. Silva, who joined from Paris Saint-Germain in 2020, wrote, “I like Chelsea so much, I came here with the intention of staying just one year and it ended up being four years.
“Not only for me, but also for my family. My kids play for Chelsea so it’s a source of pride to be part of the Chelsea family – literally my kids are here. I hope he can continue his career in this victorious club where many players want to join.
Silva extended his contract to 2023, citing the progression of sons Isago and Iago through the club’s youth ranks.
“I think I’ve always given it my all in everything I’ve done here in four years,” he said. “But, unfortunately, everything has a beginning, middle and end. It doesn’t mean it’s a definitive end. I think I’ll keep the door open that I can come back in another role in the future.
Silva has attended a time of great change at Chelsea, having started his stay during the Covid pandemic. He leaves as one of the last men of the Roman Abramovich regime; Only Ben Chilwell and Reece James remain in the XI from the 2021 final in Porto with Manchester City. Kepa Arrizabalaga and Hakim Ziyech are still the two substitutes on the club’s books but both have spent the season on loan. Silva had to leave the field prematurely at Porto but his commanding performances in previous rounds helped propel Thomas Tuchel’s side to the final.
The 113-cap Brazilian is out under new ownership led by Todd Bohli and Behdad Egbali, the most experienced among a morass of young players signed to long-term contracts. He remained the fans’ cult hero during Chelsea’s last two disappointing seasons under the management of Graham Potter, Frank Lampard and, later, Mauricio Pochettino.
“It is an indescribable love; I can only say thank you,” he said. “Obviously, when I started here, it was during the pandemic so there were no fans in the stadium. But through social media, it became very special to me and then when the fans started coming back to the stadium and life got back to normal, I started to feel so much love and respect for my story and my start here. “
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Silva’s groin injury 2-2 draw on Saturday At Aston Villa he may not play any major role in Chelsea’s season. He has made 151 appearances and won the FIFA Club World Cup and the UEFA Super Cup.
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