Thiago Silva is set to extend his position as the Premier League ’s oldest swinger in town by signing a new deal at Chelsea.
The 38-year-old Brazilian legend’s current contract expires at the end of the season but he is highly regarded by the club with boss Graham Potter determined not to lose his leadership and experience. Chelsea owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbalil are busy ripping up the current squad and bringing in newer, younger players.
But although £100million was spent on defenders Kalidou Koulibaly and Wesley Fofana to replace Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen last summer, Silva remains a mainstay. A new deal will take him beyond his 39th birthday. No active current player in the Premier League is older.
Silva nursed new £35million signing Benoit Badiashile through Chelsea’s goalless draw at Liverpool last Saturday and their 1-0 win over Crystal Palace a week previously. Before those two clean sheets, Chelsea had kept just one in 12 games in all competitions.
A winner of seven league titles with PSG, one with AC Milan and the Champions League with Chelsea, Silva has played in all but three of the Blues’ 20 Premier League games this season. He has also played five times in the Champions League.
Following last Saturday’s game, Potter paid tribute to the impact Silva has on his team. “He’s got a football brain that is pretty much above everybody,” said the former Brighton boss. “He understands the game and he’s played for so long at the highest level.
“The players he’s played with, the players he’s played against, his references are so strong that he can help the team and individuals.
“He’s got Benoit next to him, just his second game in the Premier League, and I’m sure he benefits from playing alongside Thiago. Everyone benefits from him. He is a leader on the pitch, leader off the pitch, a really important player.”
After being put out of the FA Cup by Manchester City in the third round, Chelsea now have a free weekend, enabling some of their players - including England full backs Reece James and Ben Chilwell - to continue their recoveries from injury. The Blues next play at home to Fulham in the Premier League on Friday, February 3.
