Thiago Silva’s time in London may come to an end after the end of the season when his contract expires. So far there is no sign of an extension so it appears the centre-back might leave the club.
Thomas Tuchel once referred to the 39-year-old Chelsea defender as “the Benjamin Button of football” because of his extraordinary endurance at the highest level of competition.
However, the seasoned Brazilian centre-defender is starting to show his age. The 4-1 loss at Liverpool on Wednesday included two goals for which Silva was at least somewhat to blame.
The first goal Diogo Jota scored for Liverpool was a replica of Callum Wilson’s goal for Newcastle last month. Jota and Wilson both tumbled past Silva and Benoit Badiashile to open the scoring, but Chelsea lost both times due to a lack of communication and toughness.
This season, Silva has frequently shown signs of frustration. After being exposed by his younger teammates’ poor tactics on Merseyside, he was once again spotted berating them. He only made one interception, won one battle, and failed to make a tackle while at Anfield.
When Wolves visit Stamford Bridge on Sunday, it seems unlikely that Mauricio Pochettino will bench Silva because his other choices are either injured or performing poorly.
Silva has played 2,221 minutes in every tournament this campaign, which is more than only Conor Gallagher and Axel Disasi combined.
Silva’s efforts off the pitch are evident in the installation of a hyperbaric oxygen therapy chamber in his home.
He uses a high-tech device that injects pure oxygen into his body to accelerate his recuperation after battles, as advised by UFC fighter Vitor Belfort.
Silva may have a final opportunity because of the manner he has taken care of his body; over the last six months, bids from Saudi behemoth Al-Nassr and his previous Brazilian club Fluminense have surfaced.
Silva’s contract is expiring in six months, and it appears that Chelsea is searching for an alternative centre defender after speaking with Jean-Clair Todibo of Nice and Ousmane Diomande of Sporting.
