In a candid and critical farewell, Thiago Silva addressed his Chelsea teammates, highlighting the need to set aside personal egos for the benefit of the team. Silva, who will leave Chelsea when his contract expires next month, spoke out after enduring four turbulent seasons with the club.
The Brazilian defender, who joined the Blues in 2020 and played a key role in their Champions League victory during his first season, has seen Chelsea’s performance decline in subsequent years.
Silva’s comments came after observing the managerial upheaval following Graham Potter’s departure and the ongoing struggles under Mauricio Pochettino. He urged the remaining players to prioritize collective success over individual pride.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Silva emphasized the importance of teamwork and humility. “These lads need to understand that Chelsea needs to battle for the top spots,” he said. “I believe it will succeed if we shed a little of our ego and work for the team. Unfortunately, nothing will change in the circumstance if we don’t take that action.”
Reflecting on his decision to return to his former club Fluminense when the Brazilian transfer market opens on July 10, Silva stressed the significance of wearing a Chelsea shirt. “You know, I know what it means to wear a Chelsea shirt.
If I had to convey a message to the lads present, I would like them to comprehend that their efforts to reach Chelsea had to be worthwhile,” he stated.
Silva underscored that the current season’s performance did not meet Chelsea’s standards and urged his teammates to strive for better results in the future. “Because our current campaign is unworthy of Chelsea. It’s not. And I believe that they must do more the next year,” he added.
Silva also praised the unwavering support of Chelsea fans, despite the team’s poor performance. “You can see that the supporters of the team never once abandoned the games.
We were eighth, or ninth, I believe? There were always supporters, too,” he noted. He acknowledged that the fans occasionally expressed their dissatisfaction but remained loyal and numerous. “They booed us off a little at the conclusion of the game, but the crowd in the stands is always there, consistently numbering in the 40,000s and 45,000s,” Silva said.
He contrasted this loyalty with the potentially harsher reactions in other countries, including his own. “They might have thrown rocks at us if we were someplace else; we are aware of this in our nation,” he remarked.
Silva’s parting words serve as a wake-up call for Chelsea’s current squad. His call for humility and teamwork reflects a desire for the club to return to its former glory.
As he prepares to return to Brazil, Silva leaves behind a message that underscores the importance of unity, hard work, and appreciation for the privilege of playing for a prestigious club like Chelsea.
His departure marks the end of an era for Chelsea, and his words will likely resonate with the players and fans as the team looks to rebuild and achieve greater success in the coming seasons.
