Pochettino wants Chelsea to replace Thiago Silva with £115,000-a-week star
If Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino is going to stay in the dugout for the upcoming campaign, he is personally very eager to replace Thiago Silva with a top-tier defender who makes £115,000 a week.
Thiago Silva is expected to leave Chelsea and sign with Fluminense.
Following his free transfer from PSG to Chelsea in 2020, Silva is now ending four incredible years in west London, where he developed a lifelong friendship with the team’s supporters.
Since coming to Chelsea from France, the seasoned defender has made 152 appearances across all competitions, and in 2021, he helped the team win both the UEFA Super Cup and the Champions League.
His contract was extended on multiple occasions during his stay, with Silva originally signing on a one-year deal in 2020 but remaining at Chelsea for three additional seasons. However, 2024 has brought an end to this trend, and he is now confirmed to be re-joining Brazilian side Fluminese when his deal expires.
“Chelsea means a lot to me,” said Silva in an emotional goodbye to supporters late last month. “I came here with the intention of only staying for a year and it ended up being four years. Not just for me but for my family, too.
“My sons play for Chelsea so it’s a source of great pride to be a 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 wish to be part of.
“I think in everything I did here over the four years, I always gave my all. But, unfortunately, everything has a start, a middle and an end. That doesn’t mean that this is a definitive end. I hope to leave the door open so that in the near future I can return, albeit in another role here But…it’s an indescribable love. I can only say thank you.”
Attention now turns to who could succeed Silva at the heart of Chelsea’s defence. Indeed, a few targets have been identified already, with Chelsea eyeing a move for Wolves defender Max Kilman among others.
Pochettino picks Silva replacement
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future, Pochettino apparently senses an opportunity to bring in Barcelona’s Ronald Araujo.
The £115,000-a-week ace’s contract expires in 2026, and GiveMeSport state that Pochettino does not want to miss out on a chance to sign Araujo for Chelsea if he becomes available. The Blues are said to be aware that it is very rare for a defender of the Uruguayan’s calibre to be potentially up for grabs this summer, a fact not lost on Pochettino who is very keen on him.
Chelsea are apparently ready to swoop for Araujo if Xavi’s side decide to cash in, but they’re not alone, as Man United and Bayern Munich are also circling.