In a previous time, not that long ago, Chelsea used to see their elder players like FIFA's player ratings did. Once somebody hit that crucial 30-year-old mark, the value would depreciate, the contract strings would tighten, and in their eyes, the pace and all ability would lower on an exponential downfall.
Chelsea really did take serious time to think about offering anyone over 30 more than a one-year extension. In some cases this worked, it stopped them being committed to an ageing and tiring Willian, who went on to prove the decision correct, and it allowed them a way out of David Luiz in similar fashion. It isn't without thinking that these choices were made, but it does seem archaic now.
As a rule though, it seemed to hinder their progress. Not spending £30m on Edin Dzeko when the need for a striker arose in 2018, even on a short term deal, was strange. He was only just 30 and had scored 29 goals the year before, maybe if he was 29 then the deal would have gone through.
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The logic is just about understandable, but as a blanket method it made no sense. Which is why it's good to see that Chelsea have moved on, or had done before Todd Boehly. We can only wonder how 30-year-olds might look in his age of data and statistical business models. However, the fact that Boehly is even contemplating a move for Cristiano Ronaldo, 37, shows that he isn't against using veterans.
Thomas Tuchel evidently isn't either. His Chelsea reign is arguably still being pushed by imaginary forces of seniority, experience, and knowhow. He has had trouble trusting first team members, and when things have gotten hard, it's the old heads that have been turned too.
That is to his credit. During a time where both Jorginho and Antonio Rudiger were enemies of the realm, Tuchel took them under his wing, assured them of their place and importance, and then moulded them into European champions.
There isn't a way of chucking 20-something year olds at a blank canvass and competing at the top level, it's about having the mix of promise, experience, and quality throughout.
N'Golo Kante is in the same bracket. Chelsea have always had to fend off interest for the Frenchman, with his injury record, cashing in would have made sense, but sticking with a player of the highest calibre has also paid off.
So now, when the Blues are looking to rebuild and restock their cabinet, there is no reason to turn down players above 30. Yes, the resale value is almost non-existent. Yes, the wages for elite players will be higher. Yes, the recovery and injury risk does become a larger factor. But, when looking at a deal worth more than £30m for Nathan Ake or the reported £40m for Kalidou Koulibaly, spending more on a better player, even three years older, for the Senegalese international makes sense.
Chelsea have seen what professionals can do. Olivier Giroud was a catalyst for good feeling and important goals in his final seasons with Chelsea, he was already 31 at the time. Thiago Silva is the best example. No outfield player older than him played more minutes. Other than Rudiger, perhaps nobody has been so important under Tuchel.
He was free, so immediately is possibly seen as less risk than Koulibaly, but the Napoli defender is six years younger. If Chelsea got the best out of him for even three or four seasons whilst they built around him with Levi Colwill, or shifted into a back four controlled by Koulibaly, then there's value that you can't put a number on.
He would be the most expensive defender over 30 ever, and in the top five most expensive 30+year olds ever. That doesn't mean he doesn't warrant the money. As transfers move on and players get better, the parameters for fitness and when a player is coming to the end of their career can be moved as well.
Silva's legacy at Chelsea is already written as he continues to prepare for a third season in England, and he doesn't seem to get older. His mind works just as quickly. The language barrier also hasn't stopped him improving those around him with organisation and the words of football between them.
Koulibaly wouldn't have to be Silva, but from a 37-year-old that makes the toughest league in the world look remarkably easy, to a currently dominant and 31-year-old still in his prime, there's sense to a deal, if it can be done.
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