Chelsea icon John Terry has requested the Blues to re-sign Thiago Silva. He thinks that the Brazilian defender can play a pivotal role for Enzo Maresca's side on and off the pitch.
In a TikTok video clip, Terry said that Silva can play a role similar to his under Antonio Conte in 2017. He does not think the Brazilian should participate every week for Chelsea, but be the anchor to control the mood in the dressing room, and said:
"Thiago Silva is available. I would love to see this man back at our football club! Playing alongside these players. Now, I'm not saying he has to play every week, but it is the experience you can bring - playing alongside someone like that. Probably goes back to my my role under Antonio Conte in 2017. When we won the league, I didn't play, but I had a role to play within the group."
"Be that buffer between the players, the manager, the owners and have that bit of experience where sometimes when you're going through a tough spell, or when you're going through a good spell, as well, you know, what to say, what to deliver. And he certainly brings out as well."
Thiago Silva is a free agent after leaving Fluminense at the end of their 2025 season.
Chelsea have not replaced Thiago Silva, believes William Gallas
Former Arsenal defender William Gallas spoke to OLBG earlier this month, saying that Chelsea are suffering because they have not replaced Thiago Silva. He said that Maresca's team lack experience and said:
"When we speak about Chelsea, we know Thiago Silva was the captain, was a player who had more experience, and at the same time, he was helping the young defenders who were around him. When he left, yes, they didn’t buy an experienced defender, that’s why the defenders have made some mistakes."
"The problem is when you are on the pitch, when you play against the big clubs, you need someone who is leading the defensive line. When I look at Chelsea, when they play, no one is leading that defense line. That is a problem because all the players, all the defenders, are focused about what they have to do and not about the defensive line."
The Blues have the youngest squad in the Premier League, with no player over 28. Tosin Adarabioyo and Robert Sanchez remain the oldest players in the squad, with Raheem Sterling still exiled from the first team.