Thiago Silva to leave Chelsea at the end of the season

Thiago Silva has confirmed he’ll go away Chelsea on the finish of the season however revealed his intention to at some point return to the membership in “one other position.”

The 39-year-old’s contract was resulting from expire this summer season and he has been linked with a return to his native Brazil, with Fluminense among the many golf equipment, in addition to a transfer to Main League Soccer or AC Milan in Serie A.

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Silva joined Chelsea on a free switch in August 2020 and has made 151 appearances to this point, successful the Champions League, the FIFA Membership World Cup and the UEFA Tremendous Cup.

In an emotional message posted on the club’s social media, Silva mentioned on Monday: “Chelsea means rather a lot to me, I got here right here with the intention of staying for just one 12 months and it ended up being 4 years, not only for me however for my household too.

“My sons play for Chelsea so it’s a supply of nice satisfaction to be part of the Chelsea household actually as a result of my sons are right here. I hope they will proceed their careers right here at this victorious membership that many gamers want to be part of. I believe every little thing I did right here over the 4 years, I at all times gave my all however sadly every little thing has a begin, a center and an finish.

“That does not imply that this can be a definitive finish. I hope to go away the door open in order that within the close to future I can return albeit in one other position right here. However it’s an indescribable love. I can solely say thanks.”

Silva went on to mirror on his time on the membership, which started beneath Frank Lampard earlier than he was changed by Thomas Tuchel in January 2021. Graham Potter succeeded Tuchel as head coach in September 2022 however solely lasted seven months earlier than Lampard returned in an interim capability previous to Mauricio Pochettino’s appointment final summer season.

“Clearly after I began right here it was throughout the pandemic so there weren’t any followers within the stadium however by social media it grew to become one thing very particular to me after which when followers began coming again to the stadium and life was getting again to regular, I began to really feel lots of affection and respect for my story and for my begin right here,” Silva mentioned.

“So it’s already exhausting saying goodbye in essentially the most regular of circumstances however when there’s a mutual love, it’s even tougher. However as soon as a Blue, at all times a Blue.

“The best way through which I got here into the membership, with the help of the membership I obtained to the membership as a pacesetter of the membership despite the fact that I did not really feel prefer it having arrived as the brand new man. It is at all times troublesome to combine however little by little I grew to become a part of the group and Frank Lampard performed an enormous half in that. So I’m grateful to him for that.

“Not even in my wildest desires did I think about that I might obtain such nice issues and win the most effective skilled titles, the Champions League, at one of many greatest golf equipment on the earth.

“Goodbyes are for those who go away and do not come again. I intend on coming again at some point.”

Silva is battling a groin damage with scan outcomes set to find out whether or not he might be out there to play in any of the membership’s ultimate 5 Premier League video games earlier than his departure.