POTS Thiago Silva on mutual love with Chelsea fans, his True Blue family
and a better future
30 MAY 2023
Chelsea supporters voted Thiago Silva as their men’s Player of the Season
by an overwhelming majority, the defender’s consistently classy
performances and rapport with the fans earning him the accolade for the
first time. Here we speak to Thiago about that recognition, feeling
supported during tough times, and why he hopes his family name will be
associated with Chelsea for many more years to come…
There is very little Thiago Silva has not seen during his 20-year long
professional career, one spanning six countries, nearly 900 games, and
over a century of caps for his native Brazil.
But in the couple of minutes before kick-off in our home game against
Nottingham Forest earlier this month, there was genuine wide-eyed emotion
etched across Thiago’s face. Having shaken hands with the opposition
players and started moving towards the Matthew Harding Stand to undergo
his pre-game ritual, he couldn’t miss the two banners at either end of
Stamford Bridge.
Hanging from the Shed, with the Brazilian flag as a backdrop, Thiago’s right hand is placed on the Chelsea badge, a customary movement when he thanks Blues fans after games. Surfing across the Matthew Harding Lower was another huge flag. Thiago is grasping the Champions League trophy and the accompanying words - ‘He came from PSG, to win the Champions League’ – recognise both the chant that is regularly sung at games, and his lifelong ambition of lifting Europe’s top prize.
‘It was a very emotional moment for me, especially because in spite of the bad season we have had, fans still wanted to show me their support,’ Thiago tells us. ‘It's been a hard year, so the recognition fills me with happiness, pride and pleasure for being part of this team.
‘From my first day here, I have been warmly welcomed by Chelsea fans and so my commitment is even greater than before because I know we need to respond to them with better performances on the pitch and give them the response they deserve.
‘At one point we were all fans and we know what it feels like to love the
players in a team, and how the supporters suffer,’ he continues.
‘So we recognise that it’s not easy for them to show that love in moments
like this. I want to say that it’s important to recognise that if we were
in this particular situation in another country, we would likely not
receive the love we have received here at Chelsea. We’d probably be
received with bad language or abuse, but we didn’t get that here, and it
shows the love that the fans have for us.’
For Thiago Silva in particular it feels like there is an extra special
bond between him and the Blues faithful: the manner in which he has
handled himself during good times and bad; the dedication to his craft;
the quality of his performances; those celebrations in the stands when
Emerson scored against Atletico Madrid. How could you not adore him?
‘My relationship with the Chelsea supporters is hard to put into words,’
he smiles. ‘It was love at first sight. I feel really happy here. It’s not easy to
come to a new club with not much time on your contract at the beginning
and be applauded from the beginning, shown so much love. It just goes to
show how successful my career has been – I’m really proud to be at Chelsea
and I just want them to continue to be successful.
‘It feels particularly amazing when they are able to applaud us knowing
that the situation is not great, but not fully understanding because they
can’t imagine what we’re going through. So it’s important that we show our
gratitude for that.
‘Things obviously haven’t happened the way we wanted them to this season.
It’s the hardest season I can remember having and it’s been really tough
for me this year. I’m just thinking about looking forward towards a better
future.’
Thiago says he feels a responsibility to help the club ‘on and off the
pitch, for the reformulation of the squad’, following a period of major
transition.
The guidance he can pass on to younger defenders such as Wesley Fofana and
Benoit Badiashile was an important factor in his contract extension, which
he adds ‘shows I have faith in the club and how we can do a lot better.’
At 38, Thiago is not just thinking about himself, though. His wife and two
boys are settled in England, and for different reasons have provided extra
cause to stay at Chelsea.
‘The club is really important to all of us – it’s a mutual love. My wife,
for instance, takes the underground to games and when she gets off the
train people recognise her and start to sing my name to her! That just
shows the love that they have for us, and we have for them.
‘I need to live close to Cobham because I have to focus more on my
personal care and treatment. But I know my wife goes to London a lot, far
more than I do, and I know she really likes it – she says it’s a very
welcoming city. Bit by bit, we are feeling more and more like Londoners.
‘The whole family have fallen in love with Chelsea. My sons, Isago and
Iago, both play for Chelsea. Isago has extended his contract here for the
next two seasons, which means we are going to be here for two years. We
just hope it’s more!’
For all Chelsea supporters, so many of whom chose Thiago as their star man
this season, the feeling is mutual.
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以下內容出自旗幟晚報：
Thiago Silva wants Chelsea stay to help Mauricio Pochettino rebuild but defenders will be sold
By Nizaar Kinsella - 31 May 2023
Thiago Silva has told Mauricio Pochettino he wants to stay at Chelsea to help the first part of his Stamford Bridge rebuild.
Silva turns 39 in September and there has been uncertainty over whether he will still be at Stamford Bridge next season.
The Brazilian has been linked with a return to Brazil and a move to Saudi Arabia, and Chelsea need to offload some of the six senior centre-backs on their books this summer.
But Silva, who was voted Chelsea player of the season, has a contract until the end of next season and wants to stick around. He feels he can still play at the highest level and his family are settled in London.
His sons Isago and Iago both play in the Chelsea academy and speak fluent English. His wife Belle is also understood to enjoy living in the capital.
New Chelsea head coach Pochettino faces some difficult decision over which centre-backs he wants to keep next season.
Levi Colwill is due back at Chelsea for the start of pre-season following his loan spell at Brighton and Pochettino has indicated he is part of his plans.
Chelsea are expected to try to offload Kalidou Koulibaly this summer but the £33million signing is on almost 200,000-a-week and is reluctant to leave.
Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile are unlikely to be sold after signing long-term contacts following big-money moves, leaving Trevoh Chalobah with an uncertain future.
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大膽預測席爾瓦下賽季還是主力中衛，而且也是表現最好的那個，
畢竟總監們的眼光，我可不敢相信....
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