It was something of a surprise when Thiago Silva joined on a free transfer last summer, shortly after PSG’s loss to Bayern Munich in the Champions League final, and shortly before his 36th birthday. However, the signing proved a masterstroke.

A consistent and classy performer, Thiago Silva racked up nearly 3000 minutes of action across four different competitions in the heart of our defence. Rarely out of the team when fit, he brought invaluable experience to a largely young squad, and European expertise in our ultimately successful Champions League campaign.

Immediate impression

By his own admission, Thiago Silva’s introduction to Premier League football was tough. As captain, he made an individual mistake as West Brom built an unexpected 3-0 lead before half-time in our third league game of the season, before we fought back to draw 3-3.

However, that was more or less the only foot he put wrong all season. We conceded just twice in his next nine appearances across the Premier League and Champions League, with Thiago regularly holding the armband and even offering a threat in front of goal, netting emphatic headers against Sheffield United and West Ham United.

Returning at the right time

A tricky winter period ended when his old PSG boss Thomas Tuchel replaced Frank Lampard. After a pair of clean sheets in Tuchel’s first two games, Thiago Silva picked up a thigh injury in the third with us 1-0 up at Spurs. It ruled him out of action until April, when his return was marred by two yellow cards in quick succession against his unlikely bogey team West Brom.

He was soon back in the team and back to his very best, notably in the crucial 1-0 victory at West Ham, and then both legs of our Champions League semi-final tie with Real Madrid. His ability in and out of possession, and his reading of the game, stood out when it mattered most.

‘The most important moment of my career’

The final showdown with Manchester City in Porto, a city that means so much to Thiago Silva, began in heartbreaking fashion when he had to be replaced shortly before Kai Havertz's winner.

The groin injury may have ended his time on the pitch early, but it did not stop him celebrating a famous victory when the final whistle blew. After so many failed attempts at winning this competition during his years in Italy and France, he had succeeded at the first time of asking in England. He declared it a career highlight, and not long afterwards his contract at Chelsea was extended by one year.

Thiago Silva 2020/21 Chelsea stats

Appearances: 34

Starts: 33

Substituted: 6

Unused sub: 0

Minutes played: 2,897

Goals: 2

Thiago Silva Premier League appearances 2020/21

Thiago Silva made 23 appearances in the Premier League this season, all of them as starts.

Thiago Silva Champions League appearances 2020/21

Thiago Silva made seven appearances in the Champions League this season, one of them as a sub.

Thiago Silva FA Cup appearances 2020/21

Thiago Silva made two appearances for Chelsea in the FA Cup this season, the semi-final and the final.

Thiago Silva Carabao Cup appearances 2020/21

Thiago Silva made one appearance for Chelsea in the League Cup this season, his debut against Barnsley.