EPL: Chelsea defender sends message to Pochettino amid reports he could leave club

Chelsea defender, Thiago Silva, has sent a clear message to new manager Mauricio Pochettino that he wants to stay at the club amid fears he could be sold.

According to the Evening Standard, Silva has informed Pochettino that he fully intends to stay with the West London club and help with the rebuild process.

The Brazilian was recently voted both Chelsea’s Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year.

Chelsea finished 12th in the Premier League and are set for a summer rebuild under new manager Pochettino, whose appointment was confirmed on Monday.

However, before new signings can be made, Chelsea’s squad must be trimmed down, and Todd Boehly is keen to raise funds before the end of June so they can be included in the club’s financial accounts for the past season and remain compliant with Financial Fair Play rules.

As many as twelve players could leave Stamford Bridge, and though Silva, 39, is not one of those heavily linked with a transfer, there is plenty of interest in the veteran defender from his native Brazil and Saudi Arabia.

And with seven senior centre-backs on Chelsea’s books, Pochettino will have to let go of at least two of them, and he could be tempted to give Silva, whose contract expires in 2024, the boot given his age.