Brazilian astro Thiago Silva tearfully announced his Chelsea exit at the end of this English Premier League campaign. He´ll be 39 years old after four fruitful years with the London outfit. Silva anchored the Blue’s defense as they found their way to 2021 Champions League success. Now, right as he declares his departure, Stamford Bridge rumors swirl that he´ll soon be back in a coaching capacity.
Meanwhile, embattled Argentine manager Mauricio Pochettino remains in the hot seat, for the time being. The Chelsea boss lamented the fact that the organization has sunk close to £1 billion into the club, but the squad still languishes (including a recent 5-0 whitewashing by cross-city enemies Arsenal). Pochettino calls the managerial perch much more than just an overly warm seat.
Asked about the tension he feels pacing the sideline, the 51-year-old came clean: “I am crazy—a little bit—all coaches are. We want to show we are normal people, but we are not normal. That´s why we´re here. This is an electric chair!”
What Are the Odds: Will Brazilian Astro Be Back?
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Like everything in British football (we call it soccer across the Pond), you´ll quickly find someone to take a bet. Now that Silva has stepped down as a defensive rock, the chances of him returning soon as a coach have skyrocketed. When he mentioned that he´d keep the door open, the oddsmakers had a field day.
They quickly cut the odds on him bouncing up again at the Bridge in a coaching function. According to BonusCodeBets, Silva is now listed at 7/1 to become a first-team coach. At the same time, the chances of the Brazilian astro becoming Chelsea´s future top dog are down to just 10/1.
During his teary press conference, he didn´t say anything about betting. It was all love for his most recent club. “Chelsea means a lot to me. I came here to only stay 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,” Silva affirmed.
Who Is This Monster?
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Called a “monster” by Brazilian Ricardo, ex-PSG player, and “already a legend” at only 28, according to Le Parisien, Thiago Silva always possessed the complete package of top-notch soccer goods.
Silva’s “physicality, reading of the game, interceptions, tackling, and aerial ability are second to none. His passing skills and distribution are also crucial for both club and country. It’s his concentration that’s most impressive though, and arguably the attribute that’s seen him rise to the pinnacle of the world game at the back,” wrote Jonathan Johnson.
The dynamic center of Brazil and Paris St. Germain’s defenses for years, Silva was suspended for the 2014 World Cup semifinal due to a second yellow card that his country contested—to no avail. The hosts then suffered an earth-shattering 7-1 defeat to Germany at home. Neymar was also out with a broken back for that vital match, but Silva’s absence in the rearguard was more critical.
Looking back at Silva´s career, it´s clear to see that he truly succeeded against all odds, in a literal fashion. As a youngster, Silva participated in numerous Brazilian peneiras (“filters” or trials) and was rejected by various clubs, until finally catching on with Juventude. Then came the offer to join Porto (in the Portuguese first division), but there he only rode the bench. Ultimately, a transfer to Dynamo Moscow in 2005 seemed to be a masterly move, until he contracted tuberculosis and almost died.
If it weren’t for the intervention of Ivo Wortmann, then at Dynamo and Silva’s previous manager at Juventude, doctors might have removed a whole lobe of the player’s lung. But a TB specialist suggested Silva walk for a half hour every morning to rebuild his “monster” strength. His girlfriend went along for the ride. “Isabelle came with me by bike—but man, I couldn’t do it for five minutes. Yet I didn’t stop. Little by little, I improved, and then began jogging. After three months, I was healed,” Thiago said triumphantly.
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. What will Silva´s (the Brazilian Astro) new journey as Chelsea coach look like?
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Prolific soccer writer Will Beebe has seen many a Brazilian astro play in person: from Pelé to Ronaldo and Ronaldinho to Neymar. Beebe lists Thiago Silva as one of Brazil´s best in his award-winning book, Soccer Giants of Brazil: One American´s Take on Samba Soccer Culture.
