As far as goodbyes go, Thiago Silva’s is certainly one that has already hit Chelsea fans hard.
With just three Premier League matches left before his contract ends and he moves on to Brazil, the Blues have hit a really nice patch of form.
Silva started at the back in their 5-0 win over West Ham yesterday, as they continued to make a push up the table towards the European places.
The veteran defender even left the game with an assist to compliment his clean sheet, powerfully heading back across goal for Noni Madueke to make it 3-0.
Chelsea had got off to an electric start, with Cole Palmer and Conor Gallagher giving them an early two-goal lead.
Silva celebrates with Mauricio Pochettino
After the second went in, Sky Sports journalist Ron Walker reported that Silva directed his celebrations directly at one man.
He said: “Thiago Silva, and his nearest and dearest, have not always been the most complimentary of the Chelsea hierarchy but the veteran defender is straight over to embrace Mauricio Pochettino after that second goal goes in.
“The tempo in Chelsea’s play, the confidence and the desire when they lose the ball is so chalk and cheese with where they were only a couple of months ago.”
Mauricio Pochettino has consistently spoken highly of Silva this season, and has likely been using him more than he will have expected based on the injury crisis they are going through.
Wesley Fofana is going to go the entire season without an appearance under his belt, while Levi Colwill and Benoit Badiashile have both missed extended periods with their own issues.
Silva to captain Chelsea for last game
Qualifying for Europe is going to be massive for the boss keeping his job going into next season, and right now it seems their best bet of getting those results is with Silva in the side.
It has been claimed that the plan for hislast game for the club against Bournemouth will be as captain, which would be a fitting tribute to one of the best leaders the club have ever had.