"Nobody should be following by example" ran one national paper after Thiago Silva's error in Chelsea's 3-3 draw against West Brom in 2020. Another publication went on to say that he 'was once world class' but 'his impact and ability in recent years has been dramatically overstated' in recent years.
It was questioned whether he really was past it was just seeking a nice payday in the twilight of his career. He could be a valuable teacher but not a genuine presence or useful player on the pitch. More than two-and-a-half years on from that night and Silva is arguably the best in his position in the league.
For long stretches of his 73 game Premier League stint Silva has been the outstanding defender. William Saliba has been mighty this season whilst Lisandro Martinez has also adapted brilliantly to life in England. Silva's calmness on the ball and off it is perhaps lost slightly in the mess Chelsea have been this season.
READ MORE: Malo Gusto to Chelsea transfer: Tariq Lamptey impact, Personal terms agreed, Man United interest
He has almost undoubtedly been the best player for the Blues and there is little sign of him slowing down. With the right protection, which is a factor, Silva can still run a game from the back. He controls those around him without issuing a word and takes matters into his own hands consistently.
At 38 he still isn't done. Having had a drop off with the rest of his side over the winter period he has been as good as ever since then and now there are once more talks of yet another extension. Back in 2020, he was already written off an deemed too old, past it and slow. A new one-year extension - the third contract he will have signed at the club - would take him to the brink of playing Premier League football at 40.
If he scores again there will only be eight players older than him to have ever scored in the league. This season he is the oldest player, he's in the top 30 oldest outfielders in the league and if he is still at Stamford Bridge this time next year will be the eighth oldest ever.
Considering Chelsea have prided themselves on bringing in the best young talent around the world - with an average age of 22.4 so far under Todd Boehly - it may be hard to see where a veteran like Silva fits in. His value is so great though that the new owners have little choice but to keep rolling out the deals.
This shows a new side to Boehly and Co. Having been billed as reckless spenders, Football Manager-like operators and men without any semblance of a plan, Silva remaining at SW6 would bring a new dimension to their business. It shows flexibility in the market, valuing more than just what numbers will tell you.
Silva is still remarkable statistically but there's not much Moneyball about keeping a 38-year-old. The public face of shaking off some of these stereotypes is hardly important for Boehly, who is focused on transforming the club, but it does offer a window into the decision-making.
Given his age and the makeup of those around him - the defenders purchased since last summer were aged 24, 21, 21, and 31 when signed - it would be easy to discount the value Silva has. Just ask Benoit Badiashile who has been helped to back-to-back clean sheets in his first two games alongside the Brazilian.
Whereas Badiashile, Wesley Fofana and Levi Colwill are the future, Silva is the now and is more valuable than any set of metrics can define.
READ NEXT:
The eight players who could leave Chelsea amid interest in Enzo Fernandez and Malo Gusto
Malo Gusto to Chelsea transfer: Tariq Lamptey impact, Personal terms agreed, Man United interest
Rio Ferdinand admits misjudging Mykhailo Mudryk as Chelsea star breaks Premier League record
Find the footballs on the football.london website to win cash prize, vouchers and TV worth £3,000
Chelsea news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and gossip from Stamford Bridge
