There are many ways to start this piece. A simple yet effective birthday message. A subtle nod to past achievements. Perhaps even a slightly abstract take on the ageing process in which Thiago Silva is grappling inside a mystical penalty area against Father Time himself.
Or on the day that Silva celebrates his 38th birthday, we leave it to his national team coach, Tite, to cut through the noise and highlight exactly why the Chelsea and Brazil star is viewed as one of the very finest defenders of his generation – or of any generation, in fact.
"He makes things so easy but they are hard as hell."
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Chelsea supporters can certainly attest to that. Since his arrival in the summer of 2020 on a free transfer after leaving Paris Saint-Germain, Silva has showcased every one of his many talents at Stamford Bridge: an unrivalled reading of the game; expert defensive skills; a rare composure with and without the ball; relentless professionalism.
Add in his appreciation of supporters – which is evident after every match – and it's little surprise Silva has won the hearts and minds at Chelsea. Many consider him one of the best centre-backs to have played for the club, something all the more remarkable given Silva has completed just two full seasons at Stamford Bridge.
The current campaign is his third at Chelsea and with a mid-season World Cup, it is unlike the Brazilian has ever experienced in his 20-year playing career. It's why his recovery work is all the more important, both mentally and physically.
"When I finish training, I come back home and think about how I can repair myself for tomorrow," Silva explained in an interview with Chelsea's in-house media. "The intensity is high from the first minute to the last one so you have to be ready all the time. I might be 38 years old but I think I can help this team as much as possible."
That much is beyond doubt. Silva played the second-most minutes of any outfield Chelsea player last season and it's impossible to recall a single high-profile mistake. It's why he has no inclination to hang up his boots. The battle with Father Time will go on for a long time yet.
"I talk often with [former AC Milan teammate] Zlatan Ibrahimovic and recently more often because Chelsea will play against AC Milan in the Champions League," Silva explained. "My aim is to play until I'm 40 years old but I don’t know if it will be this level or this competition.
"It depends on this season and we’ll see what will happen in the World Cup. It also depends on a contract extension but yeah, my aim is to play until I’m 40."
Silva's contract with Chelsea expires next summer – and there will come a point later in the campaign when discussions are held and future plans are laid out. It seems illogical not to keep the Brazil international at Stamford Bridge if he is prepared to stay for another year, but things can change very quickly in football, as emphasised in recent weeks.
Chelsea will need to plan for Silva's departure, be it at the end of the campaign or beyond. There can't be a repeat of the past summer in which the Blues were scrambling to rebuild their backline after both Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger left on free transfers.
The reality, however, is the man nicknamed 'O Monstro' has become almost irreplaceable at Chelsea, both on and off the pitch.
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