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

Ex-England striker Darren Bent says Thiago Silva can be a ‘no-brainer’ of a signing for Chelsea if the chance 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 within 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 proceed playing to a high standard, making 66 appearances in all competitions for his beloved Fluminense.

But while Silva’s current cope with Fluminense runs through to next summer, there’s a high probability 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 within the dressing room after they were denied a spot within 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 profession – and the centre-back is hoping to hitch 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 gap between the Brazilian and his family members is claimed to have develop into a ‘burden’.

AC Milan have been credited with an interest of their former player, while John Terry has encouraged Chelsea to explore the potential 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 attempting to bring him back in some capability and if that’s to play, that’s to play.

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

‘But his brain remains to be quick, he was still getting his body position in the suitable place, he was very rarely getting caught out with the ball in behind.

‘He knows full well he’s not the quickest anymore in order they’re about to clear it or clip it excessive: “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 all the things: jumps, quick, powerful.

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

Silva has made no secret of his desire to represent Brazil at next 12 months’s World Cup, despite not featuring for his country since way back to December 2022.

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

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

‘He might need more of a training role at Chelsea now, but whenever you discuss someone who has got the experience, has played at the very best level and that’s got a connection to the club as well…

‘You possibly can go and sign a 21-year-old they usually still wouldn’t be pretty much as good as him.

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

‘The experience that he’s got, I feel he can be an important signing for Chelsea. I’m obviously not saying long-term.’

Bent was mightily impressed by Silva’s performances on the Club World Cup in the summertime and doesn’t see any higher defensive options for Chelsea within the transfer market.

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

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

‘I comprehend it’s not long-term but not less than it buys you time.

‘I watched him within the Club World Cup and he still looked sensible in those conditions. He still defended right, still could read the sport thoroughly.

‘What other options are there?’

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