Chelsea will make a decision on the future of veteran centre-back Thiago Silva next summer, according to a report.
The Brazil international earned a slice of history during the Blues' clash with Newcastle United at the weekend, becoming their oldest ever outfield player at the age of 39 years and 64 days.
Thirteen days prior to the trip to St James' Park, Silva had also become Chelsea's oldest goalscorer with his header against Manchester City, but Saturday's occasion was not one to remember for the defender.
With Mauricio Pochettino's men already 2-1 down, Silva was robbed of the ball by compatriot Joelinton close to his own goal, and the Newcastle man emphatically crashed home his side's third before Anthony Gordon made the scoreline more chastening for the Blues.
Silva took to social media after the game to apologise for his role in Chelsea's crushing 4-1 loss, which Pochettino described as the Blues' worst game of the season so far, saying: "I'm devastated.
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"It wasn't a good day for us. I would like to apologise to everyone for the defeat, especially to my team-mates who believe in me and support me every day. I take full responsibility. Let's gather strength and come back stronger."
Back in February, Silva was handed a contract extension until the summer of 2024 to reflect his continued importance to the team, and he has started all 13 of Chelsea's Premier League games so far this season.
However, with the former AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain defender turning 40 next September and able to speak with foreign clubs from January onwards, his future has naturally been called into question.
According to the Evening Standard, both parties will sit down and discuss the centre-back's future next year, although Silva is not thought to be considering an imminent retirement.
The 39-year-old may even be open to continuing at Chelsea, as he has two of his sons representing the Blues at youth level, although former club Fluminense are also interested in a reunion next year.
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Silva learned his trade in the Fluminense youth setup and returned to the Brazilian outfit as a senior player in 2006, before being sold to AC Milan midway through the 2008-09 season.
However, the Chelsea man's wife and children would supposedly remain in Europe if he chose to return to Brazil, giving him another incentive to continue at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues would supposedly look to bring in youthful reinforcements in defence regardless of Silva's future, though, and Trevoh Chalobah could be axed in January to make room for new arrivals.
Silva joined the Blues in 2020 when his contract at PSG expired, and the South American has scored six goals and provided four assists in 130 matches for the West London giants in all tournaments.
After years of Champions League heartbreak in Paris, Silva won Europe's top honour within his first 12 months of joining Chelsea, with whom he has also collected winners' medals in the UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup.
