Chelsea defender Thiago Silva has insisted he will continue his playing career next year but is unsure where that will be.
The centre-back has been speaking to ESPN Brazil, relayed by Bola Na Rede, about the next step in his career as he comes to the end of his contract at Chelsea.
The 39-year-old is in the final months of his current deal at Stamford Bridge, with it set to end in the summer.
So far neither party are seemingly interested in extending their relationship, despite Silva having been a regular under Mauricio Pochettino this season and featured in 93% of the available minutes in the Premier League for Chelsea so far.
Given his advancing years it remains to be seen what the Brazilian decides to do next, with him now far beyond the usual retirement age for most professionals in the modern game.
That is something it seems he is more than aware of but insists he’s not planning on bringing his playing career, which has seen him play in Brazil, Russia, Italy, France and now England with Chelsea, to an end at this moment in time.
“I’m closer to the end of my career. I will continue to play football, but it is not yet decided where” he said.
“I have a few days to think and rethink what I’m going to do. I don’t think I’m better known in Europe than in Brazil, but I believe I’m a little more respected here than there, that’s for sure.
“But there are few who don’t empathize with me. Some speak to millions of people and form opinions. Today, for Brazil, I am considered a cry-baby. They don’t see how strong I was.
“I fought tuberculosis and almost died. That made me very strong. And crying is not a situation for weak people, it is for a courageous person, and I have always been very courageous in my life.”
