According to The Sun, Tottenham Hotspur have joined the race to sign Thiago Silva. The PSG defender has emerged as the latest target for Jose Mourinho, who has identified him as an ideal replacement for Jan Vertonghen. Silva is set to leave the French capital after the end of the season, with Tottenham eyeing a free transfer. However, they could face stiff competition from Everton and arch-rivals Arsenal.
Thiago Silva: One of the most accomplished defenders in Europe
Silva is widely regarded as one of the most well-established defenders in world football. He initially joined PSG way back in 2012, in a €42 million move from AC Milan. Since then, the Brazilian has been an integral part of the club’s unrivalled success in the domestic competitions.
Indeed, Silva has made over 300 competitive appearances for PSG. During his leadership, the club has won seven Ligue 1 titles, four French cups and five French league cups. Although Les Parisiens have appeared quite underwhelming in the UEFA Champions League, Silva’s contributions at the back have been critical behind their gradual improvement.
Moreover, the defender’s achievements are not only just restricted on a club level, as Silva has also won 88 caps for the Brazilian national team. He notably helped his country win the Confederations Cup in 2013 as well as the Copa America in 2019.
How can Thiago Silva help Tottenham?
At the age of 35, Silva is clearly not the defender he once was. The PSG star now lacks the pace and the athleticism to cope with the strenuous nature of European football week in week out.
But at the same time, Silva has managed to attain excellent statistics in every aspect of defence. Especially when it comes to tackling, he has attempted 1.5 tackles per game with a success rate of 86%. His tally of 1.5 aerial duels won, 1.2 interceptions and 2.5 clearances per game indicate that the Brazilian is still a solid defender.
Such commitment and effectiveness in defence should enhance Tottenham’s quality at the back. But more importantly, the 35-year-old can also offer another dimension in the build-up phase, thanks to his excellent range of passing. Silva, in fact, has attained a pass completion rate of 95%.
That could be useful for a Spurs side, which has embraced a more direct style of football under Mourinho. Silva, therefore, can form an ideal defensive combination alongside Toby Alderweireld. Their technical prowess, experience and expertise should significantly improve the overall quality of the club’s backline, and with Silva being available for free, it could indeed turn out to be a smart investment for the Lilywhites.
Stat courtesy: Whoscored
