Chelsea looking at 24-year-old Serie A defender as Thiago Silva replacement

Chelsea have earmarked Alessandro Bastoni as the replacement for Thiago Silva

Not many players can boast of playing football at 39 and not many can boast of playing at the highest level in the Premier League for Chelsea week in and week out and putting in consistent performances match after match – other than Thiago Silva.

The Brazilian centre-back has been a rock for the Blues since moving from PSG and is showing no signs of being done. Silva can write a thesis on ‘Why pace is not essential for a central defender’ but we are not sure many people other than him can pull it off.

With out-of-the-world anticipation defensively, Thiago Silva might be old but he is always a step or two ahead of the attacker he is facing. This helps him sense danger early on and find a way to clear the ball.

A leader on the pitch, Silva has shown us time and again that you don’t need the armband to be an influential figure in a team. Irrespective of whether he is wearing it or not, he is always marshalling the troops and making sure everyone plays a perfect game.

The old and experienced head of a team brimming with youth, Silva’s role becomes very important in managing emotions and helping the team play to their potential. In other words, he is almost indispensable to Chelsea, at least at the moment.

While there are no signs or indications that this might be his last season at the top level (at least his performances don’t seem to suggest though), it does look like Chelsea are planning for the future just in case.

According to Italian outlet Calciomercato, Chelsea have made a decision that Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni is the chosen one to replace Thiago Silva should the Brazilian leave at the end of the current campaign.

Despite being only 24 years old, Bastoni is already experienced and has been one of the most consistent performers in Serie A. It will be no surprise to see him easily adapt to English football and do well for the Blues should we sign him.

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Whether or not Thiago Silva leaves, we must try and sign Bastoni. At 70 million euros, he will be a good signing. Let’s see if we manage to get him though.