Chelsea eye Lille's Leny Yoro as Thiago Silva replacement?
Now 39 years of age, Silva — who turns 40 in September — is in the final six months of his contract at Stamford Bridge and is primed to depart on a free transfer at the end of the season.
The Brazil international has defied his years since arriving at Chelsea from Paris Saint-Germain in 2020 and has made another 22 Premier League starts this season, but he has been an unused substitute in their last two matches.
With Trevoh Chalobah enjoying a revival alongside Axel Disasi, and Benoit Badiashile and Wesley Fofana also set to provide alternative options next season following injuries, Silva's time in West London appears to be nearing an end.
The former AC Milan defender has affirmed that he remains «super relaxed» about his future amid talk of a potential return to Brazil, but Chelsea are now said to be scoping out possible replacements.
According to the Evening Standard, Mauricio Pochettino's side have earmarked Yoro as an ideal successor to the Brazilian veteran, who is 21 years the Frenchman's senior.
The 2005-born Yoro has been on the books at Lille since 2017, and after officially being promoted to their first-team squad in the summer of 2022, he has become an integral performer for Paulo Fonseca during his teenage years.
Standing at 6ft 3in tall, Yoro has already made 49 senior appearances for Les Dogues, scoring three goals — all of which have come in the 2023-24 campaign — and registering one assist.
The 18-year-old has started each of Lille's last 23 games in Ligue 1, helping Fonseca's men keep a praiseworthy 14 clean sheets in the top flight, and he has also gleaned continental experience in the
Read on sportsmole.co.uk
