Frank Lampard's Chelsea must knock reigning champions Real Madrid out of the Champions League to keep their hopes of qualifying for next year's tournament.
Thiago Silva returns to training for Chelsea
Thiago Silva returns to training for Chelsea
Thiago Silva has returned to training with the first team ahead of Chelsea's crucial Champions League game against defending champions Real Madrid.
The first leg of the quarter-finals will take place on Wednesday in the Spanish capital. As Chelsea are 11th in the Premier League and have no realistic chance of breaking into the top four, they must win the Champions League to qualify for next season's tournament.
Blues chairman Todd Boehly hopes newly appointed caretaker manager Frank Lampard can work wonders by winning the European Cup. If they beat Real, Chelsea will face the winner of Bayern Munich's draw with Manchester City in the semi-finals. Lampard's first game since being reappointed was a 0-1 loss to Wolves on Saturday. Still, the news of Silva's return will bring smiles to Chelsea fans. The 38-year-old is said to be the best defender in the team despite his advanced age.
Silva has been out of action since picking up a knee injury in a 0-2 loss to Tottenham in February. He was pictured training with his struggling team-mates at Chelsea on Monday, although it is unclear if he will be fit enough to start Wednesday's game. Mason Mount was also spotted training on Monday after missing the game against Wolves with a hip injury. Cesar Azpilicueta was not monitored but will return after suffering a head injury during the 0-1 home defeat to Southampton in February.
Mason Mount was also spotted in Cobham on Monday
Mason Mount was also spotted in Cobham on Monday
N'Golo Kante was left out of Chelsea's squad for the Wolves defeat as Lampard tried to manage the Frenchman's workload. Kante has missed much of the season with a serious hamstring injury but is expected to feature in Madrid on Wednesday.
Lampard will provide more information on the status of Silva, Mount and Azpilicueta when speaking to the press on Tuesday. Speaking after the loss to Wolves, Lampard said: "Kante is controlling his fitness. Azpi is almost fit, needs a little recovery.
"Mason has a feeling in his pelvis, the injury he's carrying. [Substitute keeper Marcus] Bettinelli has a little problem."
Silva has played 109 times for Chelsea since arriving from Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer in the summer of 2020, helping them win the Champions League, European Super Cup and Club World Cup. His contract does not expire until next June. "You know, I'm living a lot in this moment, trying to enjoy it a lot," Silva told Chelsea's website when asked about his retirement in February.
"However, we have to think about a post-career plan now. I've started thinking about it, I've started my CBF [Brazil FA] coaching license... Of course, I don't want to. end my career this year or next year. Let's see what happens in the future, maybe I'll become a coach or get into the football that I love."
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