Chelsea legend Petr Cech on Thiago Silva’s longevity and need for proper recovery
Writing on his weekly column on the club’s official website, ex-Chelsea keeper Petr Cech talks about defender Thiago Silva and his impact at the club. He highlighted the Brazilian’s longevity in the top-flight and also the need for proper recovery in the game.
Silva moved to Stamford Bridge in 2020 at the ripe old age of 35 but has shown no signs of slowing down. The senior defender has demonstrated that age is just a number during his time at Stamford Bridge, quickly adapting to the Premier League and becoming a central figure in coach Thomas Tuchel’s plans.
Cech also spoke in length about the need for recovery given its due importance and claims that it takes precedence over training. The club legend spoke about how top players look after themselves to prolong their careers.
“If you look at the world of football and see the players who are still at the top of the game at an older age – Cristiano, Oli Giroud, Ibrahimovic – they are fit! They look after themselves and make sure they tick. That’s why they are there at such an age. If you have the desire to carry on and you keep your discipline and your commitment levels high, when you get older you need to be wiser. “
The former keeper spoke about Thiago’s love for the game, saying that if the Brazilian star stays fit and keeps up this level of motivation, the defender could play for another three years.
Thiago seems to be following a strict fitness regimen to boost his fitness levels, apart from maintaining his discipline and commitment to playing at the highest level in the Premier League. The English top-flight is unforgiving of a lapse in concentration and experience with its physical and rapid pace aspects, but the former PSG man has held his own so far at Stamford Bridge.
Cech was full of praise for the Brazilian centre-back, revealing that Thiago has impressed everyone at the club, with his penchant for training a key factor in his impressive displays for the club.
“When you look at Thiago, you don’t see any differences between him playing 10 years ago and now. That’s the impressive part. The way he trains is the key. He also trains fully concentrated and with full commitment. He looks after himself and this is why he is able to play at this high level for such a long time.”
Many experts would have raised their eyebrows when we signed Thiago as a free agent after his stint in France. He has, however, quelled any talk of being past his best and has stepped up to the demands of the Premier League after playing in the supposed French ‘farmer’s league’.
Thiago was a central figure in our Champions League triumph last season, shaking off his final heartbreak with Paris Saint-Germain from just a year prior. This year, the Brazilian has already helped us to the Carabao Cup final this season and could write another chapter in the club’s history books.
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Despite injuries and Covid hampering his chance for regular appearances for us this campaign, Thiago has always managed to bounce back quickly and put in solid performances whenever called upon. This is remarkable, considering that most other players would have looked to call time on their careers at his age.
Like Cech pointed out, Thiago seems to have mastered the art of recovery and longevity, and it is only our gain to have someone of his leadership and experience to take us through the rest of the campaign. Silva signed a one-year extension earlier this month, further extending his stay at Stamford Bridge until 2023.