Journalist Jorge Nicola has now claimed that Chelsea defender Thiago Silva is already in talks about leaving the club at the end of the season.

He told the ‘Canal do Nicola’ YouTube channel that the player has already begun negotiations over a return to Brazil, in particular to finish his career with Fluminense.

Silva is expected to be coming to the end of his career at the top level, although he is certainly leaving his mark this season at Stamford Bridge.

He has played every Premier League game so far this season, something that manager Mauricio Pochettino was almost certainly going to be hoping was not the case.

There are a number of top young defenders at Chelsea right now, however injuries have stopped them being able to build form and play on a regular basis.

Silva in negotiations with summer move

In the final year of Silva’s deal, with his contract worth £110k-a-week, he has gained the praise of Pochettino for his abilities amongst a core of young players around him.

However, Nicola has now claimed that the veteran defender is already in talks over a move back to his native Brazil when his current deal comes to an end.

Replacing Silva’s experience will be extremely difficult to come by, and therefore it may be time for some of the current players at the club to step up and take the responsibility.

This includes players such as Levi Colwill, who there is plenty of faith in regarding his future at the club.

Given that he lost his head during the win against Tottenham on Monday, it suggests there is still a lot to learn before he is at that level.