According to a recent report by ESPN, Brazilian international centre-half Thiago Silva is set to join Premier League giants Chelsea on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain. The former AC Milan defender’s contract with the Parisian club expired in the summer, and despite an attempt by Thomas Tuchel to keep him in the French capital, he was seemingly lured away by the prospect of lining up for Chelsea.
The presence of Champions League football would’ve undoubtedly been an influence on Silva’s decision, while the fact that Chelsea are placed in such a vibrant part of London also adds to the attraction.
Although the report has clarified that Thiago Silva will sign for Chelsea from PSG on a two-year deal, there is yet to be an official announcement from the club on this matter. The defender would undoubtedly need to have his Chelsea medical ahead of signing, but all signs indicate the Brazilian becoming a Blue in the near future. The 35-year-old is said to have agreed personal terms with Chelsea already, with just some fine details remaining to be sorted out. Serie A club Fiorentina were also in the race for his signature, but the Brazilian preferred a switch to the Premier League instead.
What Will Thiago Silva Bring To Chelsea Next Season?
The former PSG man has consistently been among the highest-rated centre-halves in the world for many years now, and it’s not surprising that this acquisition is being received with massive plaudits by both the fans and the media alike. Even though he will be 36 next month, the amount of experience and defensive know-how he would add to Lampard’s young team cannot be put into words. The sheer voice and leadership that the veteran would add to the picture have the potential to bring the best out of some of the other defenders in the Blues’ squad as well.
The former Serie A ace is undoubtedly one of the best ball-playing centre-halves in the world even today, and his ability to split the opposition lines with a single upfield ball will be a massive weapon in Lampard’s arsenal next season. Not only is he good with the ball at his feet, but Silva is also a strong reactionary defender. Capable of reading opposition playing and making the right movements to counter them, the Brazilian would walk into the defences of most teams in the world. While it must be conceded that Silva’s rising age has slowed him down a bit, it takes nothing away from the fact that he is one of the most dominant defenders in the European game.
Standing at 1.83m tall, the Brazilian isn’t the biggest defender in the world by any stretch of the imagination, but that means very little in terms of his ability on the pitch. Adept at intercepting crosses and winning headers in and around the box, Silva’s addition to this Chelsea defence could yield massive results for Lampard’s side. The veteran has featured in over 500 professional appearances across three different clubs, scoring a little over 30 goals along the way as well. With 80 Champions League features under his belt too, there’s no need to question the sheer pedigree that he would be bringing to Stamford Bridge.
Thiago Silva Will Sign For Chelsea From PSG On A Two-Year Deal: Will This Help The Blues?
For all the questions that were asked about Lampard’s developing system at Chelsea last season, the one that was being shouted the loudest inquired about the Blues’ defence. The likes of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen were having uncharacteristically bad seasons, and it took a Herculean attempt from the attackers to ensure that they finished in the top four. There’s no denying the obvious quality that the likes of Rudiger and Christensen bring to the table, and the addition of Brazilian defender Thiago Silva could be the move that singlehandedly solves Chelsea’s defensive crisis by bringing the best out of the rest.
