Chelsea's succession planning for life after Thiago Silva at the club is already underway, with a number of young defenders eyed as targets in the transfer window. Despite being 38 years old, the Brazilian is playing some of his best football with the Blues, but that won't last forever.
"I am now enjoying the best version of Thiago Silva," the defender said during the World Cup campaign with Brazil. "I think now, at my age, I am living the best moments of my career. I also have other personal fulfilments, I have a beautiful family that is a great support to me.”
At some point though, time will likely catch up with the seemingly evergreen centre-back and a move away from Stamford Bridge will be on the cards and the one-year contract extensions will end. Given his importance, Chelsea have to plan for options beyond his time.
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One of the players touted as a replacement is RB Leipzig and Croatia star Josko Gvardiol, who has impressed as a left-footed centre-back at just 20 years old. The Blues missed out on landing him back in the summer, but January offers them another chance to make an offer.
Foot Mercato reports that both the Blues and Manchester United have made offers of £80million for Gvardiol in the transfer market. However, they could be blown out of the water after rivals Manchester City submitted a bid worth roughly £95million to beat competition to land him - which would also make him the world's most expensive defender.
It remains to be seen if that'll be enough for Pep Guardiola to land the youngster, but Chelsea will be hoping they will have the chance to deny them of doing just that.
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