Premier League clubs a possibility for Chelsea £110,000 a week defender who will leave this summer | OneFootball

Thiago Silva’s tears on the pitch at Wembley after defeat on Saturday in the FA Cup semi final had a pretty clear message for fans – I don’t think I’ll be back here again.

There’s been no talk of a new deal for the veteran, whose current contract  expires at the end of this season. So far, all the focus has been on a likely return to Brazil to play with Fluminense, his boyhood club.

However Nizaar Kinsella’s piece on the defender opens up new possibilities – that a stay in Europe is still feasible. Silva: “is attracting interest from Fluminense but is open to staying in the Premier League or moving to another European club,” the Evening Standard’s Chelsea correspondent wrote.

Given he’s on just £110,000 a week (Spotrac), there are no shortage of clubs who could afford him.

While for the sake of narrative, Silva’s return to the place where it all started seems fitting, there’s more to think about than that. For one thing, as Kinsella points out, his two sons “are enjoying life in the Chelsea academy.”

Plus, it’s not like Silva is intending to live the rest of his life back in his native country. “His family are likely to make London or Paris their permanent home when he eventually retires,” Kinsella adds.

One certainty remains

While his next destination is uncertain, what Silva’s own words (and tears) from the weekend make pretty clear is that he thinks his time at Chelsea is over. Whether his next step is in Europe or in South American is less clear, but we should be very aware that we’re witnessing the end of a short but significant era at Chelsea in these last few games of the season.

“I do have a decision made in my mind, but it’s not the moment to share it,” Silva said in a rare mixed zone appearance after the game.

After earning his place back in the team, he can still make a significant impact on our future in these final fixtures.