Thiago Silva has responded to claims that he wants to leave Chelsea and return to his former club Fluminense. He strongly denies these rumors and affirms his commitment to staying at Chelsea for the remaining year of his contract.
The 38-year-old footballer, who extended his contract in February, has been linked to an emotional reunion with Fluminense, where he made a successful comeback in 2006 after recovering from tuberculosis while playing for Dynamo Moscow.
However, Silva has now dismissed any speculation about leaving Stamford Bridge ahead of schedule. While he acknowledges his desire to eventually finish his career in Rio de Janeiro, he has no intention of initiating discussions with Chelsea about an early departure.
Speaking to ESPN Brasil after Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest, Silva said: ‘I have a contract here, right?
‘It’s strange, because several things have come out [in the media] and fans become very passionate. Some curse me on social media, others say “Come soon” and some say “If you don’t come now, don’t come at all”.
‘It’s even boring for me. It’s been only two months since I renewed with Chelsea, if I’m not mistaken, and I’ve always fulfilled my contracts.
‘I only won’t stay here if Chelsea decide they don’t want me for next season, or if the new coach arrives and doesn’t want me to stay.
‘I intend to fulfil the contract that I signed until next year and then, next year, we’ll see what happens.’
On whether he has had any contact with Fluminense recently, he continued: ‘I’ve always followed them since I left, I’ve always stayed very close. Every time I’m on vacation I go there, I do my training there. I have several friends there.
‘There are many messages getting sent, saying “Come back soon”. There is great anxiety from them, especially when things are coming out in the press, some untruths.
‘I even said to my wife, “I don’t know what meeting they’re talking about claiming I’m close to a return” – there’s nothing!
‘I spoke with [Fluminense president] Mario [Bittencourt] yes, in January. I spoke with Mario and [director of sports planning] Fred, I spoke about my position and my desires.
‘After that meeting, I still signed my renewal with Chelsea. In fact, that’s exactly what was said at the meeting, that, after another year, there would certainly be a desire to return. And not just to end my career there, but to add something.’
Silva’s wife, Belle, echoed her husband’s message with a post on social media from Stamford Bridge, saying: ‘Guys, I want to thank everyone who came to me for a hug, for a song, “Oh Thiago Silva!”
‘Thanks so much. We, my family, my husband, my children and me, we are very, very happy here in London, in Chelsea. So my family and I are Blue, are Chelsea and we stay here. Go Blues!’
Leave a Reply