Reports have claimed that Virgil van Dijk is actually looking over to Stamford Bridge as he approaches the latter years of his career at the top.
According to The Athletic, the Dutchman is watching Thiago Silva continue to excel at the Premier League standard for Chelsea as inspiration for him approaching the twilight of his career.
Silva has been an ever-present in the Premier League this season, despite turning 39 in an early stage of the campaign.
Mauricio Pochettino will almost certainly have been not expecting to feature the Brazilian as much as he has, however a mix of reasons have seen him there as often as he has been.
Injuries have affected the defense big time this season. Benoit Badiashile is yet to start a game in the Premier League after an issue he suffered late last season.
Wesley Fofana has also been nowhere to be seen, although his recent social media activity has hinted that he could return sooner than expected.
Van Dijk inspired by Silva
Nevertheless, it has been the veteran who has been consistently available in what is currently down as the last season in his £110k-a-week contract at Chelsea.
There have been plenty of reports that he could be on the move back to his native Brazil at the end of the season, leaving a legend at Stamford Bridge.
However, it does seem as if he is still having an impact on some of the other best defenders in the Premier League.
Van Dijk is approaching the latter years of his elite career, and is looking towards Silva as inspiration for a player who can continue to perform at that level late in their career.
The Brazilian will almost certainly start again when the Blues return to club football against Newcastle United next weekend.
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