Chelsea defender Thiago Silva is being critical of how Paris Saint-Germain sporting director Leonardo handled his departure from the club.
Silva left PSG following the 2020 UEFA Champions League Final against FC Bayern Munich. After months of being told that he was not in the team’s plans anymore, Silva looked for a new club. But at the last minute, Leonardo offered Silva a contract extension deal that was immediately turned down, as the Brazilian was already off to Chelsea.
In an interview with France Football, Silva went in-depth on just why his departure from the club left a sour taste in his mouth.
“Even if there was containment, things should have been done differently,” Silva said. “He asked me if I was ok to continue for two more months to compete in a possible final eight. I told him yes. But he replied that the club would not go beyond these two months. It would be two months and nothing else. It should have been done differently.”
Silva was puzzled as to how his stout performances over the Champions League knockout stage convinced PSG to offer him a contract extension deal. He believes that his performances for PSG over the years should have already persuaded the club that he deserved to stay after his contract expired.
“All my career at PSG, I gave the maximum, I never cheated,” Silva said. “It’s as if three matches in final eight changed everything? And everything I had achieved in those eight years didn’t matter anymore? It is not consistent. Leo did this in an awkward and hasty fashion.
“Not just with me, for that matter. I also think of Cavani who is the top scorer in the history of PSG. I say this so that the club can progress and not make these kinds of mistakes in the future.”
Following his departure from PSG, Silva prayed to God for a new club to go to.
“In truth, when I knew it was over with PSG, I always hoped for something big,” Silva said. “At first, we were afraid that my age would be a drag and that the leaders would have negative prejudices. It’s very difficult to bounce back when you’re past 33-34.
“But I wanted to believe it, I prayed that God would find me a project that lived up to my ambitions. He heard me because Chelsea are the best in England.”
Regardless of how his departure from the club transpired, PSG supporters and those within the club sure are appreciative of Silva’s tenure with the team.
Want more PSG? Visit the PSG Talk Podcast Network page and subscribe to PSG Talking, The 1970, and 24th & Parc.
