Chelsea: Thiago Silva can, and should, retire with the Blues

Thiago Silva could be given the chance to retire with Chelsea being his final destination, after his success and the team’s bright future, it’d be smart.

When Chelsea announced the signing of Thiago Silva, many supporters were skeptical. Silva, 36, is approaching the end of his career and there were questions regarding how well he truly fit into the Blues’ system. All legitimate concerns. However, he’s past fans’ tests with flying colors thus far. The Brazilian has taken the Premier League by storm en route to taking the Blues’ defense to places it hasn’t been in years.

While Stamford Bridge isn’t regarded as a retirement home—you’ll have to travel to N7 if you’re searching for one of those—it could be the final destination for one of this generation’s finest centerbacks. Silva can now clearly see the metaphorical light at the end of the tunnel that represents his playing career. He’s already expressed the desire to extend his stay with the Blues, despite only spending a few months in London. This begs the question, will he end his career at Chelsea?

My money is on yes, for a multitude of reasons. First and foremost, Silva just got settled in London. His son is now playing for the Chelsea academy and his family seems as happy as ever. He signed a two-year deal with the Blues, so many wouldn’t bank on him remaining in England’s capital long-term, but he put trust in his own ability when he signed the short-term deal. At the end of the day, only Silva knows how long he can and wants to play. It could be just two years, but based on the fact he’s already mentioning an extension, it’ll likely be more like three or four.

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The Brazil captain is a loyal man. He’s spent at least three years at every place he’s been since the early days of his career—including eight years in the French capital. Match that total in the present and he likely ends his career with the Blues. Silva is willing to go to war for anybody that puts their faith in him and he’s already begun to show that for Frank Lampard. Despite the language barrier, which Silva is working tirelessly to overcome, the two have a fantastic relationship. The veteran centerback has been an integral part in Lampard’s side this season, both on and off the pitch.

The best example of this principle is Silva’s leadership skills. He’s been a captain nearly everywhere he went on some of the world’s biggest stages. Silva has been the skipper for his country, the aforementioned Brazil, Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan. Chelsea can now be added to that list, as well. Silva isn’t the club—or even vice—captain for the Blues, but he’s been given the armband on a handful of occasions regardless. This speaks volumes to his leadership abilities seeing as he’s only spent a few months in London.

He also knows what it means to win. Much has been said over the last two seasons about Chelsea’s youth set-up. What’s not being mentioned by many is the cultural shift Silva has brought to the dressing room. Silva is to Chelsea what Virgil van Dijk is to Liverpool and Vincent Kompany was to Man City in terms of impact, according to Lampard.

Silva has been a hit on the pitch, as well. He’s the perfect sweeper centerback for the Blues and complement to Kurt Zouma. The veteran’s adept mind makes playing in Chelsea’s central defense look easy and after last season’s abysmal showing, that’s a tall order. In Zouma, Lampard has a skillful, tall and mentally sound centerback who is capable of taking the ball off the world’s best whenever challenged. In Silva, he’s got the clean-up man who can focus on possession and covering for Zouma’s rare mistakes. The two have formed one of the most stable back lines in the English top flight, something few could’ve imagined a few months ago.

Beyond this year, there will still be a need for Silva at Stamford Bridge. Rome wasn’t built in one day and neither was Liverpool, the latest Premier League title winner. If the Blues want to elevate themselves back to the top of the European ranks, a tried and tested leader will be needed. Silva deserves the opportunity to go out on top and Chelsea presents him with that chance. Although Lampard had his fair share of doubters when he convinced the legendary defender to come across the English Channel and swap capitals, it looks like a masterful move now.

What do you think, should Silva retire with the Blues? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter!