The fan-favourite defender racked up 48 appearances for Chelsea last term, with only two other outfield players featuring more frequently.

He played at the heart of Thomas Tuchel’s defence, more often than not showcasing his exemplary leadership and customary composure in a campaign in which he continued to belie his age, helping guide Chelsea to our first ever Club World Cup trophy, another Super Cup triumph and the finals of both domestic cup competitions.

The Rio de Janeiro-born centre-back continued to make a mockery of the fact he is leaning towards the end of his career, with his cool and calm presence both on and off the field helping those making their way in the men's first team, such as the likes of Trevoh Chalobah, who had a season to remember in Chelsea colours.

Like a fine wine…

When we hosted Tottenham in January, Thiago Silva became the oldest Chelsea player to score in the Premier League, aged 37 years and 123 days. Our previous oldest was Didier Drogba, who scored against Leicester City aged 37 years and 49 days in April 2015.

He surpassed another similar milestone against Arsenal at home in April, becoming our oldest outfield player in the Premier League (37 years, 210 days), overtaking Graham Rix (37 years, 203 days). Thiago ended the season aged 37 years and 242 days.

Back in January, the Brazilian signed a one-year contract extension to keep him at the club until summer 2023, and with no current signs of the defender’s powers fading, he should be influential again in the upcoming season.

Leading the way

The evergreen Thiago Silva completed the most clearances in the Premier League for the Blues in 2021/22 (95) - eight clear of Antonio Rudiger (87) - despite featuring six fewer times than the German. He also made 2,622 passes, the most of any Blues player in the Premier League during the season.

A strong run for the veteran came between October and Christmas, when he started 10 of 11 games, beginning with the 7-0 thrashing over Norwich City. He then picked up a knee injury in the victory at Villa Park on Boxing Day but that turned out to be a niggle, with the defender missing just the one game, against Brighton. He then started the next seven Premier League matches.

A favoured opponent?

Thiago Silva scored home and away against Tottenham Hotspur in 2021/22, becoming just the sixth different Chelsea defender to do so against the same opposition in the same Premier League season, and the first to do so with London rivals Tottenham in opposition.

His header in the away league meeting with Spurs was his first goal of the season, after he nonchalantly nodded in Marcos Alonso’s corner. Thiago then made it two in two against the north Londoners by guiding in yet another header in January, this time after Mason Mount whipped in an inviting free-kick.

His six clearances in August’s match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was his second-best tally in that field of the 2021/22 league campaign, while his three interceptions in that game was also only bettered on two occasions throughout the rest of the season.

Our no.6's only other goal of the season came against West Ham, which was also a header. In fact, not only have all five of his Blues goals now been with his head, four of the five have also come in London derbies.

Thiago Silva 2021/22 Chelsea stats

Appearances: 48
Starts: 41
Substituted: 2
Unused sub: 8
Minutes played: 4, 284
Goals: 3
Assists: 2

Thiago Silva Premier League appearances 2021/22

Thiago Silva played 32 games in the Premier League for Chelsea this season, coming off the bench in four of them.

Thiago Silva Champions League appearances 2021/22

Thiago Silva made nine appearances in the Champions League this season, eight coming from the start.

Thiago Silva FA Cup appearances 2021/22

Thiago Silva played three games in the FA Cup this season, two of which came from the start.

Thiago Silva Carabao Cup appearances 2021/22

Thiago Silva played two times in the Carabao Cup this season, with just the final coming from the start.

Thiago Silva Super Cup and Club World Cup appearances 2021/22

Thiago Silva played both our games in the Club World Cup this season.

Thiago Silva goals 2021/22

Thiago Silva scored three goals for Chelsea in 2021/22, all of which came in the Premier League.