04 January 2024 , 17:02
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Chelsea veteran Thiago Silva is being offered a return to former club Fluminense in the summer.
Silva, 39, has still been a regular under Mauricio Pochettino but the club are looking for defensive options this month which suggests the Brazil defender could leave in June.
The vastly-experienced defender joined Chelsea in 2020 and his current deal expires at the end of the season with Fluminense keen to offer him one last adventure into his 40s. Silva was Chelsea's player of the year last term and during his time at Stamford Bridge has helped the Blues win the Champions League, Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup, as well as reaching three domestic cup finals.
The ex-AC Milan and PSG star made his 100th Premier League appearance during the recent win over Crystal Palace and has admitted that he never wanted to move to England - before seeing the impact Pep Guardiola made at Manchester City.
"I never imagined I would play in the Premier League one day," Silva told ESPN. "It was one, with all due respect, football that I didn’t like. Because I thought it was a lot of aerial balls, get up here, fight there. I never really liked it even though I’m good in the air and adapt well. I thought I wouldn’t play here.
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"I think one of those responsible for this change, I think, is Pep Guardiola, right? He plays more. The others don’t try to copy but they look to play more. Because this is beautiful football to watch.
"And from that moment on I became interested. I watched more at home. Chelsea’s proposal came and I didn’t think twice."
Chelsea are also ready to offload Trevoh Chalobah in January while Borussia Dortmund want full back Ian Maatsen as the Blues look to shake up their defence.
They have looked at Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo but the French club do not want to sell in January.