Chelsea’s veteran defender Thiago Silva attempted to convince his Brazil compatriot Richarlison to snub a move to Spurs in favour of joining the Stamford Bridge outfit.
What’s the word?
That is according to esteemed super-journalist Fabrizio Romano, who claims, via The Here We Go Podcast, that the 37-year-old sent messages to the former Everton talisman trying to convince him to join Chelsea.
It follows the update that Romano issued on Chelsea’s attempted hijack of the deal.
Speaking on The Here We Go Podcast, Romano said: “The night before Richarlison had his Everton medical Chelsea submitted a bid that included some players but Everton said no because they had a higher bid from Tottenham.”
On Silva’s efforts, the Italian journalist said:
“Thiago Silva sent messages to Richarlison to convince him to join Chelsea, but it was too late.”
A major admission
Amidst Romano’s spill of the latest football gossip, it makes for a major admission overall and highlights Todd Boehly’s intent even further.
The Blues were clearly ready to scupper Spurs’ deal for the Brazil international, with Silva’s efforts proving ineffective as “it was too late.”
Romano’s statement illustrates a world in which Richarlison plies his trade at Stamford Bridge wearing a Chelsea shirt, of which the very thought will repulse Tottenham Hotspur fans.
It is easy to see why Chelsea made a last-ditch attempt to hijack the deal under the noses of their London rivals, though,
The 25-year-old has recovered from what was a slight blip in his Premier League career back in the 20/21 season, in which he scored seven goals – six short of his total from the previous two years.
But, in a struggling Everton side in the last campaign, he stepped up and asserted himself as the difference maker, with his 15 attacking contributions in the form of ten goals and five assists a pivotal haul for the Toffees, as they diced with the drop.
Having started his Spurs career in a bit-part role, the forward was handed his first league start under Conte in the 2-1 win against Fulham, in which he helped himself to an assist to bring his tally for the season up to two overall.
Having had a taste, he will be looking to start more games for Conte and co, and certainly has the credentials to do so.
Chelsea would have boosted their attacking threat with Richarlison, but it was not to be, with the club poking their noses at a time where it was too late.
