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Chelsea 'identify Nice's Jean-Clair Todibo as Thiago Silva replacement'

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 07 November 2023

Chelsea 'identify Jean-Clair Todibo as Thiago Silva replacement'

Chelsea reportedly identify Nice centre-back Jean-Clair Todibo as a potential replacement for 39-year-old Thiago Silva, who is out of contract next summer.

Chelsea have reportedly identified Nice centre-back Jean-Clair Todibo as a potential replacement for Thiago Silva.

The 39-year-old Brazilian joined the Blues in 2020 following successful spells at both AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain and he has since established himself as one of the first names on the teamsheet at Stamford Bridge.

Silva has played 127 times for Chelsea across all competitions, including 11 starts in the Premier League this season, and he has helped the West Londoners win the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup during his time at the club.

However, the veteran defender has entered the final year of his contract at Chelsea and there are currently no signs to suggest that he will be offered a new deal ahead of the 2024-25 campaign.

Silva recently admitted that the end of his illustrious career is "getting closer" but he is yet to decide whether to hang up his boots for good at the end of the season.

Nice's Jean-Clair Todibo on September 15, 2023 © Reuters

Chelsea's need to recruit a new centre-back could be reinforced if Trevoh Chalobah also departs Stamford Bridge having been strongly linked with an exit in 2024.

According to The Sun, Chelsea are eyeing up a move for Nice star Todibo, who could be up for sale next summer.

Recent reports claim that the 23-year-old has been told by Nice that he will be allowed to leave the club ahead of next season if they receive a suitable offer.

Chelsea may face stern competition for Todibo's signature, though, as fellow Premier League side Manchester United, Arsenal and Newcastle United, as well as Bundesliga trio Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen have all been credited with an interest.

Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo reacts in March 2022 © Reuters

Todibo has spent nearly three years at Nice and has developed into a key player for the French outfit, making 113 appearances across all competitions.

The 6ft 3in centre-back has been a standout performer in the Nice team that currently sit top of Ligue 1 following a 10-game unbeaten start to the campaign, helping Les Aiglons keep eight clean sheets in the process.

Todibo began his career with Toulouse before joining La Liga giants Barcelona in January 2019, but he was unable to reach the heights expected at Camp Nou and was sent out on loan to Schalke 04, Benfica and Nice before signing for the latter on a permanent basis in February 2021.

The one-cap France international, who still has four years remaining on his contract with Nice, is not the only Ligue 1 defender believed to be on Chelsea's radar as they have also been linked with Lille's 17-year-old starlet Leny Yoro.