Thiago Silva pens eight-word message to Chelsea squad in bid to motivate team

Thiago Silva has tried to motivate his Chelsea teammates ahead of their second half of the season push for Champions League qualification.

Chelsea currently sit in ninth place in the Premier League and ten points off Newcastle United in fourth place. Graham Potter’s side also remain in the Champions League, with a Round of 16 first leg tie awaiting them next Wednesday against Borussia Dortmund.

After a many new signings last summer and in January, Chelsea need time to gel and build chemistry within the squad, both on and off the pitch. However, being in the middle of the season and chasing the top four pack, the Blues need to get a run going to give them any chance come the end of the season.

“It’s the first time I’ve seen something like this in my whole career,” Silva told the official Chelsea website on the club’s January transfer business.

“This shows about the ambition of the club, how much the club wants to win. We had a lot of injury problems this year. A lot of new players arrived and that takes time to prepare and get used to.

“We know we’re not having the best season, but I really believe that the positive thing is: if we don’t start well, we can finish well. So, that’s what we need to learn as a lesson, try to get settled in as soon as possible, because there’s no time left, because the Champions League will start again soon.

“We need everyone to be ready, at the same page, we won’t be at 100 percent, but the knowledge of each other has to be important at this moment to build chemistry.”

Chelsea need to remain together. They are currently three games unbeaten after a win against Crystal Palace was followed up by two goalless draws to Liverpool and Fulham.

Potter’s side need to start scoring more and turning draws into wins if they want to climb the table.

And Silva, 38, took to Instagram ahead of Chelsea’s Premier League clash against West Ham on Saturday to pen an eight-word message of motivation to his teammates.

He wrote: “Success is only a consequence of your willpower.”

The central defender will be buoyed on further for the London derby after verbally agreeing to extend his contract at Chelsea until the summer of 2024.