Thiago Silva responds to Fluminense talks amid uncertain Chelsea future

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 14 May 2023 09:06 BST
• 3 min read

Chelsea defender Thiago Silva has shut down rumours of a transfer back to his boyhood club Fluminense after being linked with a return to Brazil.

Silva, 38, signed a one-year contract extension at Stamford Bridge earlier this year, but reports have suggested that he could be on his way out after criticising Blues co-owner Todd Boehly following the club's defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final.

The Brazil international spoke after Chelsea's elimination and said: "I think the first step has been made. An incorrect step, but it has been made.

READ: Thiago Silva wanted Chelsea to re-sign star lighting up Premier League

"We can't be blaming the managers if we don't take responsibility. It's a hard period for the club, with a lot of indecision.

"Change of ownership, new players arriving – we had to increase the size of the changing room because it didn't fit the size of the squad. A positive point is that there are amazing players in the squad but on the other hand there are always players that are going to be unhappy.

"There is always going to be someone upset because not everyone can play. The manager can only pick 11 from a squad of 30-something – that's tough. Some can't make the squad, we signed eight in January, we need to stop and put a strategy in place otherwise next season we could make the same mistakes."

READ: Todd Boehly: Chelsea owner admits mistakes after being SLAMMED by Thiago Silva

Following these comments, reports emerged of contact between Fluminense and Silva, with the Brazilian club's president Mario Bittencourt and former striker Fred. They reportedly both approached Silva and raised the possibility of returning to his boyhood club.

However, Silva has denied this contact and has reiterated that he will still be at Chelsea next season.

What has Thiago Silva said?

The former PSG and AC Milan star spoke to ESPN after Chelsea's 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest and revealed: "There’s nothing between me and Fluminense now. I’ve extended my contract because I want to stay at Chelsea.

"I even told my wife that I know nothing of these rumours of a meeting with the Fluminense board… I always respected my contracts."

Silva's wife, Belle, posted on Instagram to confirm this. She wrote: "We are VERY happy here. We are staying."

If Silva does have a change in heart, then Chelsea won't stand in his way, according to reports. The Blues want him to remain at the club, but Matt Law has revealed that the Blues will not force Silva to stay should he wish to leave this summer.