Thiago Silva
From TheChels.info - The Chelsea Football Club Wiki
Thiago Silva is a Brazilian defender who played for Chelsea from 2020 until 2024.
Contents |
Before Chelsea
Thiago Silva rose to prominence at Fluminense in Brazil before moving to AC Milan in 2009, where he became a standout defender and won Serie A. He then joined Paris Saint-Germain in 2012, helping them dominate French football and regularly reach the Champions League knock-out stages. By the time he left PSG in 2020, he had made over 300 appearances, captained the side, and earned a reputation as one of the finest centre-backs in the world.
Chelsea career
2020–21 Season
Silva joined Chelsea on a free transfer in August 2020 at the age of 35. He became an immediate starter under Frank Lampard, then Thomas Tuchel, playing 23 Premier League matches, scoring 2 goals, and appearing 34 times in all competitions. His leadership and reading of the game were instrumental in Chelsea’s Champions League run. Silva captained the side in key matches and played the full final, helping Chelsea secure a 1–0 victory over Manchester City in Porto. He added wins in the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup to his trophy cabinet during this period.
2021–22 Season
Despite his age, Silva featured heavily before suffering a knee injury in November. He made 32 Premier League starts, scoring 3 goals, and added more appearances in cup and continental competitions, totaling 46 matches. His leadership helped stabilize a defence in Chelsea’s winning Super Cup and Club World Cup campaigns. His calm organizing style and professionalism marked him out as a locker-room leader and fan favorite.
2022–23 Season
The Brazilian remained a first-choice centre-back under Graham Potter and Frank Lampard in a difficult season. He played 27 league games and featured 35 times in total, contributing significantly to a team plagued by instability. As Chelsea battled off-pitch changes and inconsistency in results, Silva’s presence at the back offered much-needed reliability and tactical intelligence.
2023–24 Season
In his final campaign at Chelsea, Silva continued to be trusted as a starter, making 31 Premier League appearances, scoring 3 goals, and registering 1 assist in the league. In total, he featured 36 times across all competitions. His experience was vital in marquee matches, and despite recurring physical demands, he remained one of Chelsea’s defensive pillars as the club navigated transitional turbulence. His performances included six clean sheets and strong defensive headers in key fixtures.
On 29 April 2024, Chelsea confirmed that Thiago Silva would leave the club at the end of the season after four years. A week later, on 7 May, Silva agreed to rejoin Fluminense on a two-year deal, returning to his boyhood club over 15 years after his initial departure.
Statistics
Season | Prem | FA Cup | League Cup | Europe | Other | Total | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |
2020-21 | 23 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 34 | 2 |
2021-22 | 32 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 48 | 3 |
2022-23 | 27 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 35 | 0 |
2023-24 | 31 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 38 | 4 |
Total | 113 | 8 | 9 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 25 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 155 | 9 |
- Correct as the end of the 2023-24 season"
Goals
# | Season | Date | Year | Competition | Opponent | Score | Result | Venue |
1 | 2020-21 | 07 November | 2020 | Premier League | Sheffield United | 3-1 | 4-1 | Stamford Bridge |
2 | 2020-21 | 21 December | 2020 | Premier League | West Ham United | 2-0 | 3-0 | Stamford Bridge |
3 | 2021-22 | 19 September | 2021 | Premier League | Tottenham Hotspur | 1-0 | 3-0 | Tottenham Hotspur Stadium |
4 | 2021-22 | 04 December | 2021 | Premier League | West Ham United | 1-0 | 2-3 | London Stadium |
5 | 2021-22 | 23 January | 2022 | Premier League | Tottenham Hotspur | 2-0 | 2-0 | Stamford Bridge |
6 | 2023-24 | 12 November | 2023 | Premier League | Manchester City | 1-1 | 4-1 | Stamford Bridge |
7 | 2023-24 | 06 January | 2024 | FA Cup | Preston North End | 2-0 | 4-0 | Stamford Bridge |
8 | 2023-24 | 04 February | 2024 | Premier League | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 2-4 | 2-4 | Stamford Bridge |
9 | 2023-24 | 07 April | 2024 | Premier League | Sheffield United | 1-0 | 2-2 | Bramall Lane |
International
Silva was a longstanding captain of the Brazil national team, earning over 110 caps and scoring 7 goals. He captained Brazil to Copa América victory in 2019, won the FIFA Confederations Cup, and represented his country in multiple World Cups. Renowned for his leadership and tactical intelligence, Silva remains one of Brazil’s most respected footballing figures.
Honours
- UEFA Champions League: 2020-21
- UEFA Super Cup: 2021
- FIFA Club World Cup: 2021