Chelsea legend Thiago Silva is set for one last hurrah in European football after making the decision to leave Fluminense.
The veteran defender is keen to feature for a top side again in order to give himself a chance at being involved in Brazil’s 2026 World Cup squad.
John Terry has told Chelsea to sign Silva and add some much-needed experience to their backline for at least the rest of the season.
Would you take Thiago Silva back at the club?
Do you agree with John Terry?
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Silva clearly has a great relationship with the club which he joined in 2020, and supporters would no doubt welcome back one of their best defenders of the modern era.
Thiago Silva applauds the fans after Fluminense against Chelsea at the Club World Cup.
Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images
Thiago Silva open to Chelsea return but Blues need to sell first
Journalist Simon Phillips has stated that the centre-back would be keen on a return to Stamford Bridge, even taking a reduced wage to fit the club’s structure.
However, he told his Substack that unless Chelsea part ways with a centre-back in January, they are unlikely to strike a deal to sign Silva.
He said: “SPTC Sources understand that Silva has communicated that he would return to Chelsea as a player next month and would even come back on a wage packet that would suit the rest of the squad and the current structure.
“He ideally wants to play for a team in or around London, and of course, returning to Chelsea would be the ultimate move for him. But he’s open to other opportunities as well.
“On Chelsea’s side, sources say that unless there are any injuries or sales of Axel Disasi and Tosin Arabarioyo/Benoit Badiashile, then there is no room in the squad for any more centre backs. If two of the above are sold or injured, then there would be space and it could happen.
Chelsea need to make room before they can sign another centre-back. Who are you getting rid of?
Levi Colwill is definitely untouchable ❌
Chelsea’s list of first-team centre-backs
Levi Colwill
Wesley Fofana
Trevoh Chalobah
Benoit Badiashile
Tosin Adarabioyo
Josh Acheampong
Trevoh Chalobah of Chelsea celebrates scoring his team's goal with teammate Wesley Fofana
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
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“But as of right now, there have been no plans to sell any centre backs in the winter window.
“So unless that changes, and it always can of course, Silva will not be coming back to Chelsea. As I say though, circumstances could easily change and Chelsea may well decide to try and sell a centre back to make it happen. But I haven’t yet heard that they will do that and as of now, they’ve not made any plans to.”
Thiago Silva of Chelsea applauds the fans at full-time after his final appearance
Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images
Thiago Silva is a role model for Chelsea squad
A large portion of the Chelsea squad have featured alongside the veteran defender before, and have positive memories of what he added to the side.
Trevoh Chalobah shared recently he learnt a lot from Silva when they were teammates, with the Englishman now a starter for the first team squad.
His seniority spoke volumes among the side too. Romeo Lavia described Silva as the best leader in football history, a character the Blues could certainly do with ahead of a huge 2026.
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