Transfer Centre

Thiago Silva reacts to Chelsea's transfer business

By Ben Sully | 09 February 2023

Thiago Silva admits he has never seen anything like Chelsea's transfer business but insists their signings show the club have "ambition" to win.

Chelsea defender Thiago Silva has admitted that he has never seen anything like the club's recent transfer activity.

Since a consortium, led by Todd Boehly, took over the club last summer, Chelsea have spent over £600m in the previous two transfer windows.

The Blues signed eight players in January, including Enzo Fernandez, who joined the Blues in a €121m (£106m) move from Benifca on deadline day.

Benoit Badiashile, Noni Madueke, Mykhaylo Mudryk, David Datro Fofana, Andrey Santos all signed permanent deals last month, while Joao Felix arrived on loan from Atletico Madrid.

Malo Gusto also agreed a permanent transfer from Lyon before he headed straight back to the French club on loan for the rest of the season.

Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez before the match on February 3, 2023 © Reuters

Veteran centre-back Silva has admitted that Chelsea's transfer activity is unprecedented, but it does underline the club's "ambition" to win.

"It is the first time I have seen something like this in my whole career," Silva told Chelsea's official website.

"This shows about the ambition of the club, how much the club wants to win. We had a lot of injury problems this year.

"A lot of new players arrived and that takes time to prepare and get used to. We know we're not having the best season, but I really believe that the positive thing is if we do not start well, we can finish well."

Chelsea are set to begin the Champions League knockout rounds next week when they head to Signal Iduna Park to face Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of their last-16 tie.

Brazil's Thiago Silva pictured on November 24, 2022 © Reuters

With important games coming up for Chelsea, Silva claims that the new arrivals need to hit the ground running.

The Brazilian added: "So, that is what we need to learn as a lesson, try to get settled in as soon as possible, because there's no time left, because the Champions League will start again soon.

"We need everyone to be ready, at the same page, we won't be at 100%, but the knowledge of each other has to be important at this moment to build chemistry."

Silva is out of contract at the end of the season, but he recently revealed that he is close to signing a new deal with the club.

Before Silva and his teammates turn their attention to their away meeting with Dortmund, they will face West Ham United in Saturday's lunchtime kickoff.