Thiago Silva warned: No one’s place safe at FC Porto | OneFootball

In a surprising turn of events in recent weeks, Thiago Silva has returned to FC Porto, more than two decades after a brief stint with the B team, and was presented as the first winter signing for the Dragons.

The 41-year-old central defender arrived in Portugal last Sunday and has already joined the mid-season training camp that FC Porto is holding at Quinta do Lago, in the Algarve.

Rubens Júnior, who shared the locker room with Thiago Silva in the B team during the 2004/05 season, recalls that early stage of the player’s career and analyzed his return to Invicta in an exclusive conversation with Portal dos Dragões. The former player believes that Thiago may have opportunities, despite the solidity of the Polish duo Jan Bednarek and Jakub Kiwior in the defensive line this season.

“Whoever arrives or is already here does not have a guaranteed spot. No one has a guaranteed spot. We are having an excellent campaign, and our defensive line is great. Thiago [Silva] will add even more. We need him. After losing Nehuén Pérez, FC Porto had to improvise in many matches, and Pablo [Rosário] did that job very well. I think Thiago has the ability not only to play but also to bring his experience, to further raise the team’s competitive level. The team is doing very well, but hasn’t won yet,” Rubens Junior began, highlighting the top-level career achieved by Thiago Silva.

“We know how important it is to have players who are used to winning titles, being champions, and who are used to having high-level players in their position. Thiago played at Chelsea, AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain, and always faced tough competition, and vice versa, just like Kiwior, Bednarek, and Nehuén Pérez have. I think the important thing is to add and raise the team’s level. Then, it’s up to the coach to choose who will play, not us. More and more, today, in the squad, you don’t work with just 11 players, you work with at least 25 athletes, and all of them are important. All of them have the ability to help, maybe in one match yes, in another not. That’s how great teams are formed,” he further emphasized.

Despite Thiago Silva’s age, Rubens Júnior is convinced that his compatriot will deliver when called upon by Francesco Farioli.

“Thiago has already proven that he is in great shape. He had a great Club World Cup with Fluminense and was playing top-level football. He arrives at FC Porto at a high level and with the ability to show that he is still at a high level. It’s still too early for him to think about next season. He’s here to add value during this period. This is the moment to continue building on what he’s been showing, in a team that is doing very well, that will welcome him warmly and will help further enhance his good form and this good phase. He is an example to everyone. I even think he ends up being an example that, when a player takes care of himself, has ambition, and is disciplined with his body, he can come to FC Porto at 41 years old, perform, and be a champion,” he said.

“Thiago has been an example even before arriving at FC Porto, and he will continue to be. He will be an example not only for those who are just starting out, but for those who are already playing. He will always be an example. Now, whether he plays or not, I’m not the coach. I think he has the ability for that. If he was signed by FC Porto, it’s because the club believes in him and has Farioli’s approval. If they brought him, it’s because he has the ability to play, to be a starter. In whose place, with whom, or how it will be, we’ll see over time. But Thiago is prepared and able to help and maintain this level or even improve the team’s level,” he concluded.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.