Chelsea’s young squad is aiming for a spot in the Club World Cup final as they prepare to face Fluminense in the semi-finals on Tuesday. The Brazilian side is led by former Chelsea defender Thiago Silva, who remains impressively fit at 40 years old.
Silva joined Chelsea in 2020 already considered a veteran, yet he enjoyed a successful four-year spell at Stamford Bridge. Renowned as one of the best centre-backs of his generation, he came to Chelsea after an eight-year tenure at Paris Saint-Germain, winning the UEFA Champions League in his first season.
During his time with the Blues, Silva made 155 appearances before departing a year ago. He played a key role in mentoring many of the talented young players now featuring regularly under Chelsea’s manager, Enzo Maresca.
Marc Cucurella, who played alongside Silva for two seasons, praised him as a football legend and top-class player. The two exchanged messages ahead of their upcoming encounter, with Cucurella expressing hope that Chelsea can put on a strong performance and secure a place in the final.
Before his European adventures, Silva made his mark at Fluminense, helping the club reach the Copa Libertadores final in 2008. After leaving Chelsea, he returned to Fluminense, wearing their green, red, and white kit once more, and was part of the team that won the Copa Libertadores in 2023.
This year, Silva reunited with Renato Gaucho, the team’s coach who is now in his sixth spell with the club and who had also led Fluminense in 2008.
Fluminense’s impressive run in the Club World Cup has seen them hold Borussia Dortmund to a draw in the group stage, eliminate Inter Milan in the last 16, and defeat Saudi giants Al Hilal in the quarter-finals. After the win over Al Hilal, Silva spoke to broadcaster DAZN, acknowledging the financial disparities between his team and their rivals but emphasizing the strength that comes from their close-knit, family-like atmosphere.
Alongside Silva, Fluminense also features other veteran players, including 44-year-old goalkeeper Fabio, 35-year-old wing-back Samuel Xavier, and 37-year-old Argentine forward German Cano. However, the standout player is 27-year-old Colombian winger Jhon Arias, who has been one of the tournament’s top performers.
Chelsea’s coach Enzo Maresca noted the quality and organization of the Brazilian side as he prepares to face them for the third time in the tournament. The Blues lost to Flamengo in the group stage but defeated Palmeiras in the quarter-finals.
Maresca also pointed out that Brazilian teams often bring high energy to this competition, possibly because they are at the start of their season while European clubs have just finished theirs.
The upcoming match will be Chelsea’s first at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, a vast venue with a capacity of 82,500. Some Chelsea players may still be getting used to the new tournament format, which arrives at the end of a season where the club finished fourth in the Premier League and won the UEFA Conference League.
Despite Silva’s departure, Maresca has built a youthful squad, with an average starting age of just 24 in their last game against Palmeiras. The team continues to add young talents like 23-year-old Brazilian forward Joao Pedro, formerly of Fluminense, who debuted in the quarter-finals, as well as Brazilian prospect Estevao Willian, 18, joining from Palmeiras next season, and 20-year-old winger Jamie Gittens, recently signed from Borussia Dortmund.
Midfield anchor Moises Caicedo, 23, will return from suspension to bolster Chelsea’s midfield for the crucial semi-final clash against Fluminense.
