Chelsea supporters could see a couple of big players leave Stamford Bridge this summer.
Raheem Sterling is currently being linked with a move away from Chelsea, with MLS named as one possible destination for the winger.
He is not having the best time at Stamford Bridge at the moment, being booed off in the Blues’ 4-2 win against Leicester City.
Another player who could leave west London at the end of the season is Thiago Silva.
Silva’s £110,000-a-week contract (Spotrac) expires in June, and Fluminense director Fred has made a bold claim about the central defender’s future.
Fluminense director discusses Thiago Silva’s future
While Fluminense are yet to agree anything with Silva, Fred says it is “inevitable” that the Chelsea star will return to the Brazilian club one day.
On Silva, he told ESPN: “There’s nothing [in the pipeline]. We have to be careful not to put pressure on Thiago. The fans love Thiago, we love Thiago, and Thiago loves Fluminense. One day it’s inevitable, it will happen, it’s the player’s wish, the club’s wish and we hope it happens as soon as possible.”
Fred has also revealed that the Fluminense president speaks to Silva very often.
“Thiago Silva has been a dream of ours for a long time, the president talks to him almost every week,” Fred said. “Thiago has a contract in England, we’re rooting for him, I personally am a friend of his, I’m a big fan of his character, he deserves all the best. He knows that here the doors are wide open for him to return.”
Who could Chelsea sign to replace Thiago Silva?
If Silva does depart Chelsea, which now looks likely, there is a good chance that the Blues bring in a new centre-back to replace him.
One name that is currently being linked with a move to Stamford Bridge is Sporting Lisbon’s Ousmane Diomande.
Diomande has been a key player for Sporting this season, making nearly 30 appearances in all competitions.
The 20-year-old is the kind of defender that will help Chelsea to successfully play out from the back. As per FBref, he has ranked in the 91st percentile for progressive passes among centre-halves over the last 12 months.
There has also been talk about Chelsea being interested in Lille youngster Leny Yoro, so he could be another option for the Blues as well.
If the Blues sign neither, there is always the possibility of Mauricio Pochettino going into next season with Levi Colwill, Axel Disasi, Benoit Badiashile, Wesley Fofana and Trevoh Chalobah as his centre-back options, which is more than enough on paper.