The Chelsea players currently in the United States will have spent their downtime keeping tabs on how one of their former teammates was getting on in the Club World Cup.
Enzo Maresca’s men will have been celebrating their 2-0 win over LAFC when they tuned in to watch Fluminense take on Borussia Dortmund, with Thiago Silva lining up in defence for the Brazilian side.
Chelsea fans were wowed by Silva as he dominated the Bundesliga side’s attack, which included top transfer target Jamie Gittens after his second half introduction.
Another player who came off the bench to try and make an impact was Carney Chukwuemeka, as he continues his loan spell from Chelsea until the end of the Club World Cup.
Thiago Silva sends emotional message to Carney Chukwuemeka after Club World Cup meeting
The Englishman teamed up with Silva at Stamford Bridge, where the youngster will have surely been looking up to one of the leaders in the dressing room.
The defender very much got the better of the meeting in the United States, however was quick to embrace his former teammate at the end of the game.
The Brazil legend posted an Instagram story after the game showing the two shaking hands and hugging, whilst saying: “My boy, how good to see you mate. I love you.”
While Silva is very much in the twilight of his career, Chukwuemeka is waiting for his tenure as a first team player to really kick on.
Chukwuemeka’s Chelsea status
This may be set to take place when he leaves Stamford Bridge, after more than two seasons of not really featuring in a Chelsea shirt.
The expectation is that the midfielder will be on the move again this summer after spending the second half of the 24/25 season on loan in the Bundesliga.
Maresca didn’t hand him a single Premier League minute in the first half of the campaign, and while he is in charge it looks difficult to see a future for Chukwuemeka.
Chelsea offered Chukwuemeka to West Ham as part of a potential deal for Mohammed Kudus, perhaps beginning to accept that they may struggle to find a permanent buyer for their man.
