Bad for football: Chelsea’s Thiago Silva could turn to management
Bad for football: Chelsea’s Thiago Silva could turn to management. Since joining Chelsea, Thiago Silva has posted new records as his age defies football’s general trends. For example, the Brazilian defender became the club’s second-longest-serving player having overtaken Kerry Dixon who spent 15 years at Stamford Bridge.
If Chelsea fans are not convinced by some of Todd Boehly’s ideas for English football or the Premier League, it could change if the American businessman was to develop a cloning device. Despite his age, Thiago Silva’s skin remains smooth and healthy-looking.
Silva, who turns 38 today – September 22nd – is already making history with his accomplishments. At the age of 36 he won the Champions League and at the age of 35 he joined Chelsea where he has made 89 appearances in all competitions.
Questions of return to the field levels will soon arise again, as decisions are made on whether he’s ready for the next season. Silva has done well so far this season due to his success, and might choose if he feels better about being back on the field for another immediate task – given his mistake against RB Salzburg.
Due to his exceptional performances on the field, not only in the past three years at Chelsea but also not shortchanging Frank Lampard or Thomas Tuchel in their respective stints captaining his club, it is only common sense that Antonio Conte will continue to offer him an opportunity almost until he turns it down. His fluidity with language, which makes it hard for him to communicate with players and members of the support staff with ease, has not seemed to affect his play somehow as he continues to age at a very consistent rate.
At 38, he is the oldest current player in the Premier League and has seen all available minutes this season playing for Chelsea. He currently ranks third on the list of players who have ever played for Chelsea combining appearances, goals and minutes played.
However, he is placed in the top 15 of the list of oldest outfield players to play Premier League football if he plays for the rest of this season.
There is an irony in Ryan Giggs being the only player ever to reach the World Cup quarter finals at 60 with a chance of doing so in 2018 if he was to surprise everyone and win the Premier League with Chelsea.
When his time came, Man United legend Ryan Giggs touched the ball for the final time on May 27, 2014 before leaving at the age of 40 years and five months old. Giggs’ teammate Paul Scholes won his last league title at 38 but this is a case of if Paulo Silva can do what he already has, who cares about being older than Scholes did.
In a well-known example, coach Jose Mourinho only started focusing on training badges shortly before he became the manager of Manchester United. Many current managers in soccer such as Juan Carlos Osorio and Roberto Martinez started their administrative career early on, which is why the stakes are high when becoming a national team manager in Brazil or Mexico.
Silva, who has 109 caps and is expected to play a key part in the upcoming international matches and Qatar World Cup, is one of the most important defenders in his nation.
Despite having a long season to go and looking ahead to potential game time, it’s clear that the Portuguese defender has been an excellent piece of business by Chelsea. He is one of their best value-for-money signings ever and is also prone to struggling at times.