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Chelsea defender Thiago Silva has shared that he would like to retire from his playing career at his former club Fluminese. The 37-year-old divulged that the Brazilian club gave him the opportunity during his illness and that he would eventually like to return to the club.
Silva was diagnosed with tuberculosis in 2005 after he went on loan to Dynamo Moscow from Porto. He was severely ill and had to be hospitalized and quit playing football for some time.
In 2006, newly appointed Fluminese coach Ivo Wortmann convinced the club to sign Silva and the rest, as they say, is history. He spent three years at the club before playing for AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain and now Chelsea.
Speaking of his future plans, Silva told The Telegraph (via Inside Futbol):
“Fluminense is the club I would like to finish at. It was the club where I played after I had my illness and it’s the club who opened the door for me after that stage and believed in me when nobody thought Thiago Silva would still make it as a player. As incredible as it may seem, it’s the club that I support as well.”
Silva made 80 appearances for the Brazilian club, scoring nine goals and making four assists. He also won the Copa do Brasil with them in 2007.
The veteran defender's contract with the Blues has been extended up until the summer of 2023. Perhaps he could move to Fluminese after his contract at Chelsea ends.
Chelsea looking to cap off their roller coaster season with a win in the FA Cup final against Liverpool
The Blues have had a roller-coaster season. They started the season off by winning the UEFA Super cup against Villarreal on penalties. They led the Premier League table until November and then dropped out of the title race due to injuries and lack of form.
The Blues then beat Palmeiras in the final to lift the FIFA Club World Cup trophy. They reached the Carabao Cup final in February but were beaten by Liverpool on penalties.
Chelsea then attempted to get back on track. However, Russia's invasion of Ukraine meant they faced sanctions by the UK government due to their Russian owner Roman Abramovich. It was only last week that they announced their new owners in the form of a Todd Boehly-led consortium.
They will now look to take revenge for their Carabao Cup defeat by beating Liverpool in the FA Cup final on May 14 and ending the season on a high.
