Author: Soorya G
The robust Brazilian defender Thiago Silva has clarified his plans for the future, putting an end to reports that he is considering a return to Fluminense, at least for next season. Silva made it clear that he had no immediate plans to move from Stamford Bridge after signing a contract extension for the 2023/24 season just a few months ago.
Silva has been at Chelsea since the 2020/21 season, also winning the Champions League during his tenure. He has renewed for a year twice, with his current contract running until 2024. As the end of his previous contract approached, which was valid until the end of the 2022/23 season, he was linked with a move back to Fluminense. However, he decided to renew with Chelsea and denied claims that he was in talks about a move to Brazil. Silva added that although he was open to moving to Fluminense at the end of his time at Chelsea, he said his family was against it.
“Now, at the end of the season, some annoying things happened, and I was very upset because it seemed like I was being played against by the (Fluminense) fans: ‘Thiago is coming back’. At no point did I say that I would return this year, not least because I had renewed my contract with Chelsea two months ago. The news started to come out, nobody denied anything, and the fans came to my Instagram to curse me. Others supporting me anyway… That wasn’t nice and I didn’t like it, frankly. But nothing erases the love and feeling of gratitude I have for Fluminense“, said Silva.
In a career spanning more than two decades, Silva has played for several of Europe’s top clubs, including AC Milan, Porto and PSG, and also had a fruitful spell at Fluminense between 2006 and 2008. Silva confessed his eternal gratitude for Fluminense, but confirmed that a return is not in the plans at the moment.
“Now, the future is in God’s hands. Everyone knows how much I want to, but nowadays it’s difficult to talk to my family, my children don’t want to live in Brazil. So it’s a very complicated situation, but we still have this year to think about it and see what we’re going to do next year“, concluded Silva.