Chelsea fans laud ‘irreplaceable’ Thiago Silva as the veteran defender announces he is leaving Stamford Bridge in an emotional farewell message to supporters
Chelsea fans have hailed Thiago Silva as ‘irreplaceable’ and hailed his heartfelt farewell after the Brazilian announced he will leave the club at the end of the season.
The 39-year-old is in the final few months of his contract at Stamford Bridge and was expected to call time on his four-year Blues career after the completion of the campaign.
Silva confirmed the decision in a moving farewell message to supporters on Monday morning, describing his ‘indescribable love’ for the club.
Fans of the west London club have been quick to thank the defender for his contribution and achievements, including winning the Champions League and Club World Cup in 2021.
“Irreplaceable,” wrote one supporter on X, formerly Twitter. Another said: ‘A thank you will never be enough.’
Thiago Silva has announced that he will leave Chelsea at the end of the current season
Blues fans were quick to hail the Brazilian defender, who has been a regular at the back since his arrival in 2020
‘He came from PSG to win the Champions League. Thiagoo ohhh,” a third wrote, quoting the Brazilian’s song that can often be heard around Stamford Bridge.
Another commented: ‘This is how you say goodbye. Thanks for everything, [Thiago Silva]. Before you add: ‘LEGEND.’
In his message to supporters via Chelsea’s website, Silva said: ‘Chelsea means a lot to me. I came here with the intention of only staying for a year and it ended up being four years. Not only for me, but also for my family.
“My sons play for Chelsea, so it is a source of great pride to be part of the Chelsea family – literally because my sons are here. I hope they can continue their careers here at this victorious club that many players want to be part of.
“I think everything I’ve done here over the last four years, I’ve always given it my all. But unfortunately everything has a beginning, a middle and an end. That doesn’t mean this is a final ending. I hope to leave the door open for me to return in the near future, albeit in a different role here.”
Chelsea fan group We Are The Shed are preparing a special display for the final home game of the season – against Bournemouth on May 19 – and Silva continued: ‘It’s already difficult to say goodbye in the most normal circumstances, but when there is a mutual love, it’s even harder. But one is blue, always blue.
‘The way I came into the club, with the support of the club, I came into the club as a leader, even though I didn’t feel like it had arrived as a newcomer. It’s always difficult to integrate, but little by little I became part of the group and (Frank) Lampard played a big role in that. I am grateful to him for that.
‘[It’s been a] dream, definitely a dream. Even in my wildest dreams, I never thought I could achieve such great things and win one of the best professional titles, the Champions League, with one of the biggest clubs in the world.
The 39-year-old was part of the squad that claimed Chelsea’s second Champions League title in 2021
The experienced defender has made 34 appearances for the West London team this season
Silva was hailed as a Chelsea legend following his announcement on Monday morning
‘Farewell is for those who go away and don’t come back. I plan to come back one day.”
It remains to be seen if Silva has played his last game for the Blues after picking up a groin injury towards the end of last weekend’s draw against Aston Villa.
‘Thank you for honoring us with your presence. You came, you saw, you conquered. Oh monstro,” one Blues supporter wrote, while another added: “Morning ruined.”