Thiago Silva to stay at Chelsea after signing one-year contract extension as European clubs talk to Antonio Rudiger
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Published 03/01/2022 at 19:16 GMT
Thiago Silva signed for Chelsea on a free transfer at the start of last season after eight years at Paris Saint-Germain. He won the Champions League in his debut campaign in west London and, aged 37, he has been one of Thomas Tuchel’s most consistent performers this season, having already made 22 appearances in all competitions.
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Thiago Silva has signed a contract extension at Chelsea which will keep him at Stamford Bridge until the summer of 2023.
Silva arrived at Chelsea on a free transfer at the start of last season after eight years at Paris Saint-Germain, during which he won seven Ligue 1 titles and made a clean sweep of France’s domestic silverware. He won the Champions League in his debut campaign in west London and, aged 37, he has been one of Thomas Tuchel’s most consistent performers this season, having already made 22 appearances in all competitions.
As well as his solid performances at the heart of Chelsea’s back three, Silva has scored twice this term. His first goal came in a 3-0 win against Tottenham in September, while he also netted against West Ham last month in a 3-2 defeat.
After putting pen to paper on his new contract, Silva told the club website: “To play here with Chelsea is a real pleasure. I never thought I would play for three years here in this great club so I’m very happy to stay for another season.
“I would also like to say thanks to my family, the club, Marina [Granovskaia] and to Mr [Roman] Abramovich for this opportunity. I will continue to give everything for this club and for the supporters, who have always been by my side since I arrived.
“It’s amazing to have this relationship with the fans and, not only that, but the players, staff and the whole club. I’m going to give everything to keep playing at this level in the most important league in the world.”
Echoing those sentiments, Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia said: “Thiago Silva’s experience, leadership and performances have been and remain very important to this squad, so we are hugely pleased to extend his contract by another year.
“We look forward to his continued influence as we seek honours this season and next, and more of the qualities that have led to him having such a big impact for us on and off the pitch.”
Where Silva’s future is now secure, there is still uncertainty over several other players. Andreas Christensen, Cesar Azpilicueta and Antonio Rudiger are all out of contract in the summer, with Sky Sports reporting that Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, PSG and Juventus have opened talks with Rudiger’s representatives over a pre-contract agreement.
Ralf Rangnick, Manchester United’s interim manager, is another reported admirer of Rudiger and is well known to his brother, who also acts as his agent. Chelsea remain keen to extend the 28-year-old’s contract, however, and he could still stay at Stamford Bridge.
Asked about the situation last month, Tuchel was noncommittal even as he talked up Rudiger’s influence at the club. “We absolutely accept and are fully aware of the importance of Toni and the role that he’s playing on and off the pitch,” he said. “There is no doubt about that.
“It’s true that nobody is bigger than the club and this is a team effort and a strong club. It’s not only about Toni and I mean that in the best way, because we know what he’s doing and we’re fully aware of it.
“In the end, we need a bit of patience. I have no update right now.”
Chelsea have several other big decisions on the horizon, with N’Golo Kante, Jorginho, Marcos Alonso and Ross Barkley out of contract in 2023. The Blues will be most determined to keep Kante while, at the other end of the scale, Barkley has been linked with a move away in January having struggled for game time this season.
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