Thiago Silva’s tears at full time were one of the defining moments of yesterday’s cup semi final.
The veteran looks to be heading into the final months of his time at Chelsea, and possible in European football overall. He dearly would have loved to make it to one last Wembley final, but it wasn’t to be. Despite keeping a very solid back-line against Man City, Chelsea could find the goal at the other end, and eventually City’s pressure told.
Speaking after the game, Silva was rueful about what could have been, and his emotions on the pitch made it very clear how much this meant.
His words were as close as we’ve come to confirming that he was leaving Chelsea – but equally they made it very clear he’s not ready to retire just yet. In fact, he almost used the chance to show off to any interested parties that he’s still got some juice left in the tank:
And end at Chelsea – and a beginning somewhere else?
“You are going to know in the coming days. I don’t want to say anything now after a defeat,” Silva said in quotes picked up by TalkSport.
“I’m sad about the result, but sooner or later the news will come out. I do have a decision made in my mind, but it’s not the moment to share it. It’s not an individual sport, but my four years here were very good. Not that I didn’t believe in myself, but with my age and the intensity of this league, it’s rare to see players in a high level at 39.
“I don’t like to talk about me, but you can see this. In the semi-final I was ready to play the extra-time! I can see I still have some years in me to keep enjoying football.”
It has seemed likely for some time now that it’s been decided behind the scenes that Silva won’t get a new contract at Chelsea, but these comments make it pretty clear that he’s not ready to retire just yet.
