Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images
Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images
Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images
Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images
Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
A graphic showing Jordan Henderson's match statistics (goals, assists, key passes and pass completion rate) against for Chelsea FC against Bournemouth. Image shows Jordan Henderson celebrating.
A graphic showing Jordan Henderson's match statistics (goals, assists, key passes and pass completion rate) against for Chelsea FC against Bournemouth. Image shows Jordan Henderson celebrating.
Chelsea signed Henderson from Brentford on a free transfer, which was a terrific bit of business. But he is still not the best free signing the club have ever made.
Thiago Silva is Chelsea’s best free transfer in the Premier League era
Henderson is likely to be up there by the time he leaves Chelsea, but in the Premier League era, it has to be a straight shoot-out between Thiago Silva and Michael Ballack for crown of best-ever free signing. And it could go either way.
However, Silva just edges it. The impact that he made at Stamford Bridge cannot be rivalled by Ballack.
Silva had an advantage in the sense that he was playing in a team with lesser quality, especially in the area of the pitch he operates in. In contrast, Ballack was lining up alongside some world-class players and in midfield.
It was much easier for Silva’s quality to shine through and be witnessed, while Ballack often had to share the spotlight. Whatever the case, Silva made an impact at Stamford Bridge and it was a huge one.
His defensive intelligence, experience and leadership helped Chelsea to win the Champions League in the 2020/21 season, his first year at his club. He also won the Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup before finishing his Chelsea career with a total of 155 appearances.
That is not bad for a player joining the club at the age of 35. His longevity is on another scale, with the Brazilian still playing at the age of 42.
Silva was even included in Brazil’s selection pool for the World Cup, although he missed out in the end. At 36, Henderson still looks very sharp. Perhaps he could also end up playing up until his late 30s or early 40s. It would be a surprise if the England international were still at Chelsea by then, though, making it very unlikely that he will be able to match Silva’s Chelsea legacy.