We’re at the stage of the season where even relatively injuries can be season-enders.
This is especially scary for players who want to play at the Euros or the Copa America this summer. They know that even a pretty small issue can threaten their participation in those tournaments now.
But it’s also worrying for players who are moving clubs this summer. Thiago Silva limped off in Saturday’s draw with Aston Villa, and while the issue looked minor, it may well be bad enough to rule him out for the final weeks of the season, and therefore mean Silva has played his last for Chelsea.
The Brazilian defender is expected to leave the club this summer, with his contract not likely to be renewed. He had been out of the team but recently took his place back and had been looking to play out these final matches in the heart of our defence.
But Nizaar Kinsella’s piece for the Evening Standard today strongly hints that he may not recover in time to play again. Silva is currently “undergoing tests” on a groin injury to see whether he will have another chance to feature for us.
Premier League clubs are said to still be interested in Silva, who has been most strongly linked with a return to Brazil to play with his old team Fluminense.
After such a great time at Stamford Bridge – which of course included him lifting the Champions League trophy – it would be a real shame to see him go out without a proper goodbye. The fans serenaded him as he left the pitch against Villa, but they will be keen to have a better chance than that to say farewell.
We will likely find out his status this week, with a Thursday and Sunday game looming on the horizon.
