Ask most Chelsea fans what Liam Rosenior’s side lacks, and many will respond with a lack of leadership and experience in central defence. It’s been that way ever since Thiago Silva and Antonio Rudiger left.
After clocking up more than 200 appearances for Chelsea, 32-year-old Rudiger left Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2022. He’s spent the last four seasons at Real Madrid, but the German is set to leave in June.
Ray Parlour has already suggested Chelsea re-sign Rudiger, with Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Burnley another example that proves the Blues need more experience in defence. It’s been that way since 2024.
When will Trev get his flowers? 💐
TalkingPoints user discussing Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Thiago Silva left the club in 2024 to return to Brazil with Fluminense after four years at Chelsea. Since then, the Blues have struggled in the middle of the defence. Rudiger’s comments rub salt in the wounds.
Thiago Silva named in Antonio Rudiger’s greatest all-time XI
After 66 outings in 18 months with Fluminense, 113-time Brazil star Silva joined Porto in the summer. The former Paris Saint-Germain captain is still playing at the highest level at the ripe old age of 41, incredibly.
Thiago Silva of Fluminense FC applauds at the end of the
Photo by Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images
He’s a legend of the game and continues to break records, with Chelsea fans wishing they did more to keep him in West London. Rudiger even picked Silva in his all-time greatest XI on Delanero09’s TikTok.
Alongside Silva, Rudiger picked Dida and Sergio Ramos at centre-back. Roberto Carlos, Cafu, Claude Makelele, Zinedine Zidane, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Thierry Henry, and Ronaldo were also picked.
Is Thiago Silva a true Chelsea legend? John Terry thinks so
During his four years at Chelsea, Silva clocked up more than 150 appearances for Chelsea and helped the Blues win the Champions League, the Super Cup and the 2021 Club World Cup. A true winner.
Would you take Thiago Silva back at the club?
Do you agree with John Terry?
Rudiger’s praise of Silva comes in the same week that John Terry was asked if Silva and Reece James would get in ahead of Paulo Ferreira and Ricardo Carvalho, in the famous 2004-05 side under Mourinho.
Indeed, Terry thinks both players would start in the side that conceded just 15 times: “Both would have been in with a shout of starting [over Carvalho and Ferreira]. Thiago was immense. How good was he?”
Silva might not have won a Premier League title or any domestic trophies during his stint at Chelsea, but he helped the Blues win their last Champions League title. He’s a Chelsea legend, and we miss him.
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