Thiago Silva may have played last game for Chelsea after Mauricio Pochettino confirmed the Brazilian defender was forced off in their Premier League draw against Aston Villa with a groin issue.
The 39-year-old is in the final few months of his contract at Chelsea and much speculation has revolved around whether their star centre back will leave the club this summer.
Silva went down holding his groin and came off just before the 90th minute of Chelsea’s eventful clash at Villa Park on Saturday night.
Pochettino said: ‘We need to assess him after tomorrow. It is a pain in his groin, which was similar to [Crystal] Palace.’
Silva was sidelined for three matches including the League Cup final after picking up a groin injury in February.
The Blues, who fins themselves in ninth place, have only five games left of the campaign.
An emotional Silva revealed that he had made his decision on his future after Chelsea’s FA Cup semi-final defeat by Manchester City last week.
Additionally, his wife, Belle, seemingly hinted at his exit, posting a picture of herself on social media in the stands, with the caption ‘It’s the last dance at Wembley…’
After the match, the Brazil international, who was still distraught by the defeat, was asked by reporters over whether he knew what his future will look like. He told Hayters TV: ‘You will know in the coming days.
‘I don’t want to say anything now with my head in a defeat, a bit of sadness. But sooner or later it’s going to happen. The news will come out.’
Silva joined Chelsea in 2020 from Paris Saint-Germain has previously admitted that it felt like ‘love at first sight’ when he arrived at Stamford Bridge.
He has gone on to make 151 appearances for the west London club, scoring nine goals, and admitted that he dreams of his kids one day turning out for the Blues.
The defender was an integral part of the squad which lifted Chelsea’s second Champions League in 2021.
Pochettino’s side have reportedly already begun the search for Silva’s replacement, with reports indicating Chelsea have launched an enquiry with RB Leipzig over a potential summer move for Castello Lukeba.
