Chelsea have taken early steps this season to ensure they have a fit Thiago Silva for as long as possible.
The Brazilian managed 32 league matches last season, the most since his 33 games for AC Milan in 2010/11. He was 26 back then. Eleven years later and approaching 38 years old, Silva is still playing some of his best ever football, but the management of him is key.
As someone still involved in Brazil's own national team he needs rest and, perhaps like his teammates, has already been shown the negative effects of flying too much on fitness and recovery. With this in mind, Thomas Tuchel made the important decision to leave behind his first choice centre-back for the trip to Croatia to face Dinamo Zagreb.
READ MORE: Dinamo Zagreb vs Chelsea LIVE: Kick-off time, TV channel, early team news, live stream details
Unlike last season, where Silva played all but one of the club's away Champions League matches, appearing in all of the other matches in Europe too, Silva has already had a precedent set as Tuchel makes plans for the season ahead, the winter World Cup in Qatar and possibly with a view to Silva staying in London for even longer than this season.
Given his immense leadership it is a big call to be made, especially with the defender having played every minute so far in the league and the relative defensive issues going on for Chelsea. However, it's not just on the pitch that Silva has made a big impact.
After Mateo Kovacic spoke about Joska Gvardiol, admitting that he had advised the club on the player, and Reece James was speaking to Wesley Fofana about the Frenchman joining the club before an official deal had been reached, Silva was doing his own agent work.
According to transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano, "The night before Richarlison had his medical in Brazil to join Tottenham and sign his contract Chelsea submitted a bid to Everton," Romano said on the Here We Go podcast.
"It was an important bid and included potentially some players but Everton said no because they already had an agreement with Tottenham for a higher bid and also I can reveal that Thiago Silva was trying to send some messages, it's normal in football when there are players from the same country.
"He sent some messages to Richarlison to see how advanced the deal with Tottenham was and if he had some chance to join Chelsea but it was too late because a few hours later Richarlison was going to have his medical as a new Tottenham player.
"Chelsea really wanted to hijack the deal."
The Blues were also interested in Gabriel Jesus and Robert Lewandowski but having missed out on important negotiations due to the sanctions imposed on Roman Abramovich by the UK government, the club would have to pursue a late deal for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang instead.
That may not have been something that Silva was entrusted with, but as Chelsea look to enter a new era, Silva pushing them through with valuable actions - albeit unsuccessful - can only be a good sign.
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