Reece James greeted Thiago Silva with open arms after the veteran defender penned a new contract at Chelsea. The 38-year-old was set to leave Stamford Bridge at the end of the season once his previous deal expired but, having continued to impress, he was rewarded for his efforts.
Silva has signed a one-year extension which keeps him at Stamford Bridge until the summer of 2024. He's featured 19 times for the west Londoners in the Premier League this term, helping Graham Potter's side keep six clean sheets.
The Brazil international has been central to Chelsea's success since arriving in 2020, winning the Champions League, the FIFA Club World Cup and the UEFA Super Cup with James by his side. Silva has continued to prove his doubters wrong and, as Todd Boehly builds a young squad, the centre-half will be just as important off the pitch as he is on it.
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Upon the signing of Silva's extension, a video captured by the Blues' in-house media team has revealed how much James appreciates his captain. The Cobham graduate applauded the Brazilian. He then walked over Silva and, with a smile on his face, James bowed down before the pair embraced.
With the 23-year-old in his arms, Silva pledged to honour his new deal. He said: "I stay here. I no go."
And, the love is shared. In October, the Brazilian insisted that James has the potential to become 'one of the best players in history'. Speaking to Hayters after Chelsea's win over AC Milan at Stamford Bridge, Silva said: "He’s a very young athlete but looks like he’s been playing football for so many years.
"It’s easy to talk about him because he is someone I really like. I hope he can continue with this winning mentality because he is a guy who works really hard and deserves all this success.
"He is one of the strengths of our team, both offensively and defensively. I hope he can continue like this, because is he keeps this winning mentality he has everything to be one of the best in history."
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