Chelsea prospects at FC Barcelona for the post-Thiago Silva era

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By: Manu Tournoux

There is no longer much doubt as the end of the season approaches. After 4 seasons with Chelsea, Thiago Silva will leave. Despite his age, the illustrious Brazilian defender does not yet wish to retire from sport. “At 39, I am closer to the end of my career. I’m going to continue playing football, but we haven’t decided where yet. I still have a few days to think and think about what I’m going to do.”he recently confided to ESPN.

It is undoubtedly time for his adventure with the Blues to end. If he is still an indisputable starter in the eyes of Mauricio Pochettino, physical problems and his wife’s recent public criticism of his Argentine coach are undermining his position. The English club will have to turn the page on a player with whom it won the Champions League in 2021 under the orders of Thomas Tuchel. He is looking for a reliable player with some experience to supervise his young squad.

The situation has changed for Koundé

This is how eyes turn to FC Barcelona. According to information from Mundo Deportivo, Chelsea emissaries were in the stands of the Diego Armando Maradona stadium in Naples to watch the round of 16 first leg of the Champions League (1-1). They particularly followed the performance of a Frenchman, Jules Koundé (25 years old). This is not the first time that the former Bordeaux player has been linked to Chelsea since in the summer of 2022, a proposal of €50 million was made to snatch him from Sevilla.

At the time, this did not convince the player, who preferred to join Catalonia. The situation is different this time. After two seasons, Koundé has already expressed his desire to play in the center of defense, playing on the right side to leave room in the hinge for Araujo and, most often, Inigo Martinez. The French international can sometimes feel frustrated and that’s what the Blues are banking on to attract him. Also, Barça’s economic situation makes a sale rather favorable, which would be at least €50 million.