Superstar centerback opens contract talks with Chelsea
A lot has been made this season about the future of Chelsea’s three-man defense. The Blues have already signed Trevoh Chalobah to a long-term extension recently. This means they have two of their centerbacks secured for the foreseeable future, Malang Sarr being the other. Nevertheless, the likes of Cesar Azpilicueta, Andreas Christensen, Antonio Rudiger and Thiago Silva are currently on expiring deals. In less than two months, they will be free to open talks with other clubs regarding a free transfer next summer.
It’s uncharacteristic of Marina Granovskaia and the Chelsea board to let deals come down to the wire like they have this season. Regardless, they’ve emphasized the club’s desire to re-sign each of its centerbacks. The Blues know where things stand with Azpilicueta and Christensen as it seems like a matter of ‘when’ not ‘if’ they renew their deals. The unknowns are Rudiger and Silva. Recent updates from Fabrizio Romano show that Chelsea is ready to open contract talks with Silva though as the Brazilian looks to extend his stay at Stamford Bridge.
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Thiago Silva is set to open contract talks with Chelsea after stellar outings recently against Leicester City and Juventus
Silva, who is now 37 years old, is playing some of his best football in a Chelsea shirt as of late. He’s earned rare back-to-back starts this week, putting in two superb performances at Leicester City and at home against Juventus. The former Paris Saint-Germain centerhalf helped preserve a clean sheet for Edouard Mendy against the Old Lady on Tuesday when he brilliantly cleared Alvaro Morata’s shot off the line. His back line also kept Leicester City’s lethal front line in check at the weekend to keep Chelsea atop the Premier League table. Silva has seldom put a foot wrong since joining the Blues under Frank Lampard’s leadership. He’s played a crucial role in some of the biggest fixtures during his time in SW6, despite his decreasing minutes as Thomas Tuchel looks to manage the minutes of the aging defender.
Silva’s extension would likely be one-year and run until June 2023. Chelsea has been up front with the veteran since his arrival as a free agent. The club has always taken a year-by-year approach with its over-30 players, this case is no different. Silva has more than earned another year in west London by putting in mature performances on the biggest stages—most notably the Champions League final last May. His relationship with Tuchel and knowledge of the game also make him a valuable asset on the training pitch. Silva has been an important mentor to some of the younger players around Cobham. Both Reece James and Chalobah have gone out of their way to praise Silva’s impact on their development since the Brazilian joined the club in the summer of 2020.
An extension for Silva would also represent a safety blanket for the Blues. He would become only the third centerback that Chelsea would have guaranteed for next season. Although he isn’t as durable as he has been in years past, he still represents a reliable option for any contest. He, Chalobah and Sarr are a good base if the Blues are not able to reach an agreement with any of Azpilicueta, Christensen or Rudiger in the near future. Re-signing Silva is the best business decision Chelsea could make given his leadership, experience and on-field performances.
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