Thiago Silva is reportedly pushing to leave Chelsea summer so that he can return to Brazil and play for his boyhood club Fluminense.
The veteran defender, who won the Champions League with Chelsea under Thomas Tuchel in 2021, has grown frustrated with the situation at Stamford Bridge.
According to Globo Esporte, Silva, 38, regrets his decision to sign a one-year contract extension with Chelsea back in February.
The Brazilian news outlet reports Silva is looking to tear up his Chelsea contract at the end of the 2022-2023 campaign and sign for Fluminense.
Additionally, Silva is said to be close friends with Marcelo and has been tempted by the 35-year-old former Real Madrid star to return to the club, who are second in Brazil’s Serie A.
Thiago Silva has reportedly grown frustrated with the current situation at Stamford Bridge
The Brazilian defender signed a one-year contract extension with Chelsea back in February
Silva used to play for Fluminense (left) and has hinted at a possible return before he retires
Fluminense’s president Mario Bittencourt and former striker Fred have also reached out to Silva to encourage him to sign for the club before retiring, it is claimed.
Silva has spoken about his desire to return to return to Brazilian club Fluminense and win the Copa Libertadores before hanging up his boots.
Prior to moving to Europe with AC Milan in 2009, Silva played at the top-tier Brazilian club for three years, making 143 appearances and winning the Copa do Brasil.
‘If I told you that I don’t think about it, I’d be lying to you,’ Silva told TNT Sports when quizzed on a possible return to Fluminense.
‘It’s something that I think about, I already talked a few times with my wife. When you have a long career in Europe, your children grow up in Europe, this decision is difficult.
‘I do have this dream of returning to wear the shirt of Fluminense, everyone knows my desire. But it’s something I prefer to leave in the future to see how things are going to happen.’
It would therefore come as no surprise if Silva left Chelsea and ended his career with the Brazilian side.
Silva hit out at the Chelsea hierarchy following the team’s lacklustre Champions League exit in April this year.
The veteran defender cut a disappointed figure on the pitch after the final whistle following the defeat to Real Madrid as he was consoled by interim manager Frank Lampard.
Speaking after the match, Silva decried the ‘incorrect step’ the owners have taken and said that the team’s downfall could not be placed on their managers alone.
‘I think the first step has been made. An incorrect step, but it has been made,’ Silva began. ‘We can’t be blaming the managers if we don’t take responsibility. It’s a hard period for the club, with a lot of indecision.
Silva (above with Lampard) was frustrated after Chelsea crashed out of the Champions League
The veteran defender took aim at Chelsea’s owners in his post-match interview after defeat to Real Madrid
‘Change of ownership, new players arriving – we had to increase the size of the changing room because it didn’t fit the size of the squad.’
Silva’s reference of space issues for Chelsea’s unwieldy 30-plus squad was previously reported by Mail Sport.
‘There is always going to be someone upset because not everyone can play,’ Silva said. ‘The manager can only pick 11 from a squad of 30-something – that’s tough.
‘Some can’t make the squad, we signed eight in January, we need to stop and put a strategy in place otherwise next season we could make the same mistakes.’
source: dailymail.co.uk
