Brazilian star Thiago Silva has confirmed that he will leave the club when his contract expires at the end of the current season.
In an emotional message, the former PSG defender said it was a dream to play for Chelsea, and he announced his departure with the hope of coming back in a different capacity one day.
According to Thiago Silva, goodbyes are for people who are leaving a place, with no intention of a return, but with Chelsea feeling like home for him, where his kids also play football, this does not look like a goodbye.
During his time at Chelsea, Thiago Silva won the Champions League and Club World Cup with the club, and he feels it is an absolute dream to win the Champions League, something he didn’t think he would achieve.
For him as a person, Chelsea means a lot, and that is not just for him, but for his family as well.
In a video message posted on Chelsea’s social media pages, Thiago Silva said, “Chelsea means a lot to me. I came here with the intention of only staying for a year and it ended up being four years. Not just for me but for my family, too.”
With his children playing in the Chelsea academy, Thiago Silva sees it as a great source of joy and would like his kids to continue playing football at the club he described as a ‘victorious’ club.
For him as a player, he always gave his all, but there comes a time you will not be able to do any more, and that means that you will have the leave to make way for other people. But according to Thiago Silva, this is not a definite end to his association with Chelsea, and, thus, he hopes to return to the club someday.
“My sons play for Chelsea so it’s a source of great pride to be a part of the Chelsea family – literally because my sons are here. I hope they can continue their careers here at this victorious club that many players wish to be part of,” he said.
“I think in everything I did here over the four years, I always gave my all. But, unfortunately, everything has a start, a middle and an end. That doesn’t mean that this is a definitive end. I hope to leave the door open so that in the near future I can return, albeit in another role here.”
Many have spoken highly of Thiago Silva’s leadership quality, and a career in management will certainly not be ruled out for the Brazilian.
Chelsea fans love Thiago Silva, and for that, even as he leaves, he will always be a Blues, he says.
“It is already hard saying goodbye in the most normal of circumstances but when there is a mutual love, it’s even harder. But one a blue, always a blue.”
“The way in which I came to the club, with the support of the club, I got to the club as a leader even though I didn’t feel like it having arrived as the new guy. It’s always difficult to integrate but bit by bit I became part of the group and (Frank) Lampard played a big part in that. I am grateful to him for that.”
“[It’s been a] dream, definitely a dream. Not even in my wildest dreams did I imagine that I could achieve such great things and win one of the best professional titles, the Champions League, at one of the biggest clubs in the world.”
“Goodbyes are for those that leave and don’t come back. I intend on coming back one day.”
Four years, countless memories.
A message from Thiago Silva… pic.twitter.com/f2YbB4GMXY
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 29, 2024
Thiago Silva has remained a vital part of the Chelsea squad since his free transfer move from French giants, Paris Saint-Germain, in 2020.