Departed Chelsea Star Reacts To Fans Chanting His Name During Pre-season Game

Thiago Silva thanked Chelsea fans for their love after they serenaded him during their final pre-season game against Inter Milan.

Chelsea drew 1-1 with Inter on Sunday afternoon as Enzo Maresca’s side wrapped up their preparations for the 2024/25 campaign.

Marcus Thuram opened the scoring at Stamford Bridge but Lesley Ugochukwu’s 90th minute equaliser ensured that the Blues didn’t end the summer break on a low note.

It’s been another summer of great change in west London, with Maresca replacing Mauricio Pochettino in the dugout while several big name players have departed the club, some of whom fans aren’t happy to see go.

This includes the likes of Conor Gallagher, who is set to complete a transfer to Atletico Madrid, as well as Silva whose four year stay at the Bridge came to an end at the end of last season.

The legendary Brazil defender left upon the expiry of his contract and has returned to boyhood club Fluminense, though some fans were very sad to see him go especially as it’s left Chelsea’s defence without an experienced leader.

That point was made very clear early on in the Inter match when fans sang the 39-year-old’s chant.

And Silva himself clearly appreciated the gesture, replying to an Instagram post from a Chelsea fan account that reported on the singing.

He simply replied: ‘I love you’.

Signed by Frank Lampard on a free in 2020, the veteran centre-back became a mainstay in Chelsea’s team for the next four years, making 155 appearances for the club.

He would prove age is just a number, winning the Champions League, UEFA SuperCup and Club World Cup, as well as help his team reach the finals of the FA Cup (twice) and League Cup.

His departure leaves Maresca with a handful of promising centre-backs who are yet to consistently deliver, namely Levi Colwill, Axel Disasi, Benoit Badiashile, Wesley Fofana and Tosin Adarabioyo.

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