Why Thiago Silva facing Chelsea in the Club World Cup semi-final is a scriptwriter's dream

Every so often sport throws up certain contests that are a scriptwriter’s dream.

Tuesday’s mouthwatering FIFA Club World Cup semi-final between Fluminense and Chelsea - free to watch live on DAZN - is one such occasion.

The romance of Fluminense captain Thiago Silva facing Chelsea, where he enjoys legendary status, in such a huge game is undeniable.

It is a fixture to increase the heartbeat and the central figure is a player adored by both supporters of both clubs.

A man universally regarded as one of the greatest defenders of his generation, Silva is a modern-day legend and has shone brightly during Fluminense’s journey to the last four of this summer’s tournament.

The Brazilian is now 40 and approaching the end of a career which has generated enough stories of their own to fill several Hollywood blockbusters.

Highlight reels? Take your pick.

Overcoming a near fatal bout of tuberculosis in 2005 before winning domestic trophies with Fluminense in the early years of his career.

Lifting the Serie A title with AC Milan and then enjoying a trophy-laden spell with Paris St-Germain which harvested seven Ligue titles.

He became the most expensive defender ever when he joined PSG from Milan before moving to Chelsea on a free transfer from the French capital in 2020.

During those four season, Silva made over 150 appearances for the Blues and earned a lasting place in the hearts of Chelsea supporters.

Silva won three trophies in that time, including the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.

He left Stamford Bridge as a Chelsea legend and the words he spoke upon his departure last summer said everything about his strength of feeling for the club.

“Chelsea means a lot to me. I came here with the intention of only staying for a year and it ended up being four years,” he said.

“It is already hard saying goodbye in the most normal of circumstances but when there is a mutual love, it’s even harder. But once a Blue, always a Blue.”

How fitting, then, that Silva will now face Chelsea in Tuesday’s semi-final as Fluminense bid to reach Sunday’s title decider against PSG or Real Madrid.

Fluminense have been one of the stories of this year’s Club World Cup, progressing from Group F before a stirring 2-0 win over Serie A giants Inter Milan in the Round of 16.

Then came a 2-1 victory over Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal in the quarter-finals where Silva again epitomised the desire which has come to characterise his team in the USA.

On their win over Al-Hilal, Silva said: “I am very happy and very proud of my team. It is not easy to play in this competition and arrive at the semi-final.

“It's too far for me to imagine this moment, but I am very happy for the team and for myself as well and for the performance.

“We stayed together all the time. It's never easy to play against a team like this, but Fluminense is there, and I am very happy for this.”

And so now Silva, capped 113 times by Brazil, will face Chelsea for the first time since leaving the club last summer to return to Fluminense on a two-year contract.

The good news for the veteran centre-back is that Liam Delap, Chelsea’s summer signing, is suspended.

 

Despite his advancing years, Silva still encapsulates all the qualities required to play centre-back; aggression, desire, outstanding positional sense, leadership qualities and a cool head under pressure.

The only quality missing, of course, is pace but these days his astute footballing brain more than compensates for what his legs can no longer achieve.

Regardless of what happens at the MetLife Stadium on Tuesday, Silva’s legacy at Chelsea is assured.

He said last year that he hopes to return to Stamford Bridge one day and write another chapter in his career there.

“I hope to leave the door open so that in the near future I can return, albeit in another role here,” he said.

But first the small matter of trying to get one over on Chelsea and reach the Club World Cup final.

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