Thiago Silva close to agreeing Chelsea contract extension

Evergreen Chelsea centre-back Thiago Silva is close to agreeing a contract extension with the club - a reward for his continued age-defying form.

The 37-year-old penned a second one-year contract in the summer following an exceptional debut season after his arrival on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain, culminating in winning the Champions League in May.

However, Silva has shown no signs of slowing down this campaign and has emerged as one of two guaranteed starters in head coach Thomas Tuchel's staunch backline alongside Antonio Rudiger. The Brazil international has played a part in nine clean sheets in 14 appearances so far this term.

That form has already convinced Chelsea to negotiate a year's extension on Siva's deal, potentially keeping him at the club until June 2023. According to reliable Brazilian outlet UOL, an agreement is 'imminent'.

The defender has informed those close to him of his desire to remain in England and continue playing at the highest level in preparation for the World Cup in Qatar in a year's time.

90min understands Chelsea have always been confident of renewing Silva's terms and - as is the case with Cesar Azpilicueta - if he wants to stay at Stamford Bridge, the option will certainly be on the table.

Another new deal would be testament to the ridiculous levels the centre-back has maintained throughout his spells with Milan, PSG and Chelsea, and demonstrates his importance to the club by going against their established 'one-year deals for over 30s' policy.

Even at 37 he shows no signs of allowing his standards to drop, and he is the ideal mentor for younger defenders such as Trevoh Chalobah and Andreas Christensen.

However, next season would likely be Silva's last in the Premier League as he would eventually like to return to boyhood club Fluminense in his home country before retiring.

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