Chelsea news: Have a really good relationship with the staff, says Thiago Silva

Thiago Silva has proven that age is just another number for him, as the Chelsea centre-back continues to impress even at 37. His reward is a one-year contract extension with the Blues. The Brazilian defender has put pen to a new deal that will keep him with the Champions League winners until the end of the 2022-23 season. Now halfway through his second year at Stamford Bridge, the former PSG defender is proving to be an influential figure on and off the pitch, with his experience proving vital for the club. In an interview with the club website, Silva has discussed various topics, including the secret behind his longevity. 

When it was pointed out that he seems very settled at Chelsea, the defender said, “Yes of course, I’m very good here. That’s also thanks to the career I had at Milan, and PSG. It means I arrived at Chelsea as an experienced player,” he started.

Thiago Silva on support from fans

“Also, the supporters are always by my side. That’s very important because they’re there even if we’re losing, and if they support it’s also because I’ve been playing well. Now the club have given me this opportunity to continue to do this, and I’m going to give everything to keep playing at this level.”

“For me it’s great, I never imagined that I would live this experience in my career. I felt it a bit at Milan, also in Paris, but here it’s been like this since the first day. When you see the images of the fans chanting my name at the end of the Champions League final, even if I hadn’t played all of the games because I’d been injured, for me it’s also feels like a recognition for everything that I’ve done.”

Despite his age, Silva continues to maintain his level at the top of his game. Asked about the secret to his longevity, Silva explained how his relationship with the coaching staff has played a vital part in it. He explained, “The first thing is preparation, the organisation, not just from the players but from all of the staff. I have a really good relationship with the staff. It’s great if I’m feeling tired I can speak to the coaching staff, and I can say that it might be risky to play certain matches, and we think about it and we decide whether it’s better to play or to rest.”