Thiago Silva may have joined Chelsea in the twilight of his career as a 35-year-old in 2020, but his impact over the four seasons he spent at Stamford Bridge is still visibly apparent.
After impressing for Fluminense in their Club World Cup opener against Borussia Dortmund, Silva shared a moment with Dortmund’s Chelsea loanee Carney Chukwuemeka on the pitch at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
“My boy, how good to see you mate. I love you,” Silva posted on his Instagram, external story along with a picture of the two embracing. Chukwuemeka and the Brazil legend spent two seasons together between 2022 and 2024.
Silva may turn 41 in September but his incredible durability was on full display against Dortmund. He captained Fluminense and showed all of his quality and experience in an immaculate performance to secure a clean sheet in the 0-0 draw.
Chukwuemeka was not the only young Chelsea player to benefit from playing alongside him in the latter years of his career in West London, in which he made 155 appearances and won the Champions League, Club World Cup and Super Cup.
On Silva’s departure from Stamford Bridge, Reece James – now Blues captain – labelled him, external “A true brother” and “One of the best players to play the game and an even better person”.
Fellow defenders Levi Colwill and Trevoh Chalobah both credit the seven-time French Champion with helping their careers. Colwill has spoken of the impact, external of playing alongside Silva after basing his game on him while growing up and Chalobah commented “idolo” – Portuguese for idol or hero – under one of his final Instagram posts, external as a Chelsea player.
If any in Enzo Maresca’s young squad need inspiration or motivation to progress in their careers, a fine starting point would be to tune in to Fluminense’s remaining games in the United States – and keep a particular eye on their number three.
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