Chelsea are considered the favorites heading into their Club World Cup semi-final clash, but they face a unique challenge in the form of Fluminense and, more specifically, Thiago Silva. The veteran Brazilian defender, now 40 years old, enjoyed a highly successful spell at Stamford Bridge and is now a key figure for the South American side.
Silva's return to Fluminense has been marked by strong defensive performances and invaluable experience as the club navigated a challenging Club World Cup campaign. He spent four seasons in West London between 2020 and 2024, making 155 appearances and scoring nine goals, winning the Champions League in 2021. His leadership qualities are still very much apparent, with reports of him even directing team tactics during their quarter-final match against Inter Milan.
Despite knowing they will be opponents, the current Chelsea players still hold the utmost respect for Thiago. Marc Cucurella said that Silva is a legend and that they have exchanged messages before the match.
Chelsea's current squad is a youthful one, with an average starting age of just 24. Manager Enzo Maresca will be looking to players like Moises Caicedo, Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro to perform well in the high-pressure environment. The team is hungry for silverware, with their last Club World Cup title coming in 2021. They beat Palmeiras 2-1 in order to progress to the last four.
Fluminense have had an impressive run, holding Borussia Dortmund in the group stage, eliminating Inter Milan in the last 16, and beating Al Hilal in the quarter-finals. Beyond Silva, Fluminense's squad boasts experience with players like 44-year-old goalkeeper Fabio, 35-year-old wing-back Samuel Xavier, and 37-year-old forward German Cano. They also have younger talent, like 27-year-old Colombian winger Jhon Arias.
Chelsea will be without new star Liam Delap, so all eyes will be on striker Nicolas Jackson. For Fluminense, Thiago Silva is the key player.
The semi-final match promises to be an emotional reunion for Silva and Chelsea. His wife stated that their affection and respect for Chelsea is mutual and very special. His sons also play for Chelsea youth teams.
