Chelsea To Face Familiar Face in Club World Cup Semifinal

The assumption was that Premier League fans had seen the last of Thiago Silva when he left Chelsea to return to Brazil this past season. The now 40-year-old defender stepped away from European football after four years at Chelsea and a lengthy and distinguished career in Europe which included Serie A, Ligue 1 and Champions League titles. He returned to Fluminense, a club he once played for at the age of 21. A quiet retirement tour, however, has been interrupted by a run in the Club World Cup which will see Silva lined up against Chelsea in Tuesday’s semifinal.

The Brazilian club’s advancement from a weak group was not a major surprise. In their first knockout game however, they toppled Champions League finalist Inter Milan. In the next match, they defeated the man that led Inter Milan to that final, the Brazilians triumphing over Simone Inzaghi and his new club, Al-Hilal. Al-Hilal was the underdog story after the Saudi side defeated Manchester City in their Round of 16 matchup. Fluminense prevailed in a tense 2-1 matchup, however, which saw Silva battling, quite testily at times, with former Chelsea teammate Kalidou Koulibaly.

Center back Silva has been a stable force in front of 44-year-old goalkeeper Fabio. Not all Fluminense’s key players are senior citizens, however. Twenty-four-year-old Hercules has been a strong performer with goals against both Inter Milan and Al-Hilal, his 70th minute strike in the quarterfinal proving the winner against the Saudi Arabian side and putting the Brazilians into the semifinal. Their Premier League opponent in that semifinal was drilled by Fluminense’s Brazilian archrival Flamengo in group play, needed extra time before knocking out Benfica with a flurry of late goals and then nervily got by Palmeiras, yet another Brazilian side, 2-1 on an 83rd minute own goal. This last victory was noteworthy on two fronts. Cole Palmer scored to break an eight-game scoring drought for club and country.

Meanwhile, the scorer of the Palmeiras goal, Estevao, will now join Palmer and his mates in London. Chelsea signed the then 17-year-old winger in May of 2024 with the understanding that he would play one final season for Palmeiras. Chelsea secured his signing despite the interest of many of the major European giants who were interested in a young man referred to as “Messinho” or “Little Messi.” Against Chelsea on Saturday, the Brazilian would alternately orchestrate the Palmeiras attack from a central midfield position and then harry his future employers with attacks down the right wing. His initial time at Chelsea is likely to be on the wing and that has surely fueled the rumors that Noni Madueke could be leaving Chelsea, potentially to join London rival Arsenal.

Estevao’s three player of the match acclimations during his now concluded Club World Cup run inspire optimism but only time will tell if his potential translates to the English game. Chelsea will be without Liam Delap and Levi Colwell for the Fluminense matchup due to suspension. If the Blues advance on Tuesday, they are guaranteed to face another European power in the July 13th final as Wednesday’s other semifinal match  features heavyweights PSG and Real Madrid.