Thiago Silva has provided insights into his relationship with Chelsea’s manager, Mauricio Pochettino, as he nears the end of his current contract with the club. The experienced Brazilian defender has been a stalwart on the pitch, playing every minute of Premier League football this season, defying initial plans to manage his workload carefully due to his age of 39.
Originally, the intention was to rest Silva occasionally, particularly on certain weekends, but unforeseen defensive injuries to players like Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile, and Axel Disasi thrust Silva into a regular starting role. Sadly, Fofana won’t return until the spring of 2024, but both Disasi and Badiashile have resumed play. Silva did receive some respite during Chelsea’s 2-0 Carabao Cup victory over Blackburn Rovers.
The fact that Silva had accumulated 900 minutes of Premier League play by November was not part of the original season plan. Nevertheless, Silva has revealed the key strategies he employs to maintain his peak physical condition.
In an interview with The Guardian, Silva outlined his daily routine, which starts at 8 a.m. and involves arriving at Cobham by 8:45 a.m. It includes pre-training preparations, the training session itself, post-training recovery at the club, and a two-hour session in a hyperbaric chamber at home. He emphasized the crucial support of a team of professionals, encompassing dietary considerations, snacks, dinner, and dietary supplements. Silva also spoke of the importance of family time and occasionally attending his children’s training sessions at Chelsea’s academy while highlighting the theme that “less is more” in his current routine.
Silva’s wealth of experience has allowed him to offer alternative perspectives on tactics and issues while on the pitch, which has proven beneficial to Pochettino. Conversely, Pochettino’s influence has played a pivotal role in enhancing Silva’s fitness levels and pushing him out of his comfort zone. Silva acknowledged this collaborative dynamic, stating, “Pochettino has helped me a lot with my fitness.”
As Thiago Silva approaches his 40th birthday next year and his contract at Stamford Bridge draws to a close next summer, there has been significant speculation about his future. Yet, as he discussed his role in supporting Pochettino, Silva subtly hinted at a potential future role within the world of football. Silva sees himself as a type of “manager” on the field, observing the game from the rear and offering insights to both his teammates and the coaching staff.
He underscored the importance of communication in preventing mistakes and striving for continuous improvement, ultimately emphasizing the crucial nature of this player-manager relationship within the team’s dynamic. This relationship between Silva and Pochettino has been mutually beneficial, with Silva’s experience enhancing Pochettino’s tactics, while Pochettino has played a pivotal role in maintaining Silva’s fitness at the highest level.
As his contract with Chelsea approaches its end, Thiago Silva’s future remains uncertain, but his influence on and off the pitch is undeniable, making him a valuable asset for both the club and the sport of football.