‘No-brainer’ – Chelsea told they must sign ‘animal’ defender in January | Football

Ex-England striker Darren Bent says Thiago Silva would be a ‘no-brainer’ of a signing for Chelsea if the opportunity arises in January.

Silva left Chelsea to rejoin boyhood team Fluminense 18 months ago, having helped the Blues lift the Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup and the Club World Cup.

The legendary 41-year-old struggled in the Premier League at first, but departed as a cult figure amongst the Stamford Bridge faithful, extending his initial short-term contract on two separate occasions.

Since returning home, Silva has managed to continue playing to a high standard, making 66 appearances in all competitions for his beloved Fluminense.

But while Silva’s current deal with Fluminense runs through to next summer, there is a high chance the veteran defender has played his final match for the side.

Reports circulating in Brazil earlier this week suggested Silva had bid farewell to his Fluminense team-mates in the dressing room after they were denied a place in the Copa do Brasil final by Vasco da Gama.

It’s understood Silva is keen to secure one last move before calling time on his club career – and the centre-back is hoping to join a team playing ‘as close as possible to London’, where his family still live.

Silva’s two sons, Isago and Iago, are enrolled in Chelsea’s academy and the distance between the Brazilian and his loved ones is said to have become a ‘burden’.

AC Milan have been credited with an interest in their former player, while John Terry has encouraged Chelsea to explore the possibility of bringing the centre-half back for a second spell.

Asked whether Silva could still make a difference at Chelsea on talkSPORT, Bent replied: ‘Yeah, he can. If I’m Chelsea then I’m trying to bring him back in some capacity and if that’s to play, that’s to play.

‘I watched him play for Fluminense in the Club World Cup and he still looked good. Yes, of course, he’s not as quick as we know he can be because he’s obviously older in age.

‘But his brain is still quick, he was still getting his body position in the right place, he was very rarely getting caught out with the ball in behind.

‘He knows full well he’s not the quickest anymore so as they’re about to clear it or clip it over the top: “I’ll drop ten yards!”

‘I played against Thiago Silva when he was in his pomp. Oh my goodness, animal! Brazil versus England… animal. He had everything: jumps, quick, powerful.

‘But now, he just reads the game so well and if I’m Chelsea then I’m trying to bring him back.’

Silva has made no secret of his desire to represent Brazil at next year’s World Cup, despite not featuring for his country since as far back as December 2022.

And while Silva has hinted he will call time on his playing career after the tournament, Bent is adamant the defender would be a ‘great signing’ for Enzo Maresca and Chelsea.

‘With the experience he’s got, I would bring him back in some capacity,’ he added.

‘He might have more of a coaching role at Chelsea now, but when you talk about someone who has got the experience, has played at the highest level and that’s got a connection to the club as well…

‘You could go and sign a 21-year-old and they still wouldn’t be as good as him.

‘When you’ve got that much experience and you command that much respect, he’ll put his team-mates in the right positions so he doesn’t really get caught out.

‘The experience that he’s got, I think he would be a great signing for Chelsea. I’m obviously not saying long-term.’

Bent was mightily impressed by Silva’s performances at the Club World Cup in the summer and doesn’t see any better defensive options for Chelsea in the transfer market.

‘It’s a no-brainer to bring him back,’ the former Tottenham and Charlton forward went on.

‘His kids are obviously still connected to the club and he still loves London.

‘I know it’s not long-term but at least it buys you time.

‘I watched him in the Club World Cup and he still looked brilliant in those conditions. He still defended right, still could read the game very well.

‘What other options are there?’

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