Graham Potter was left full of praise for Chelsea’s Thiago Silva after another impressive display in Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Liverpool at Anfield.
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The Blues had to settle for just a point in today’s Premier League fixture against Liverpool, but it’s now back-to-back clean sheets to highlight the recent defensive improvement.
There’s a lot of talk about Mykhailo Mudryk after his eye-catching Chelsea debut this afternoon. For example, Steven Gerrard thought the 22-year-old winger was “outstanding” for the visitors at Anfield.
However, the backline also needs big credit for their latest contribution.
Potter raved about 38-year-old Silva after another strong performance in defence this weekend.
In particular, he singled him out as “a leader” both on and off the pitch at the club.
“He’s (Silva) got a footballing brain above everybody pretty much, because of how long he’s played at the highest level, the players he’s played with and against, his references are so strong,” Chelsea’s head coach said, as quoted by the club’s official website.
“He can help the team, and help individuals. Benoit [Badiashile] there, it was only his second game in the Premier League, surely benefits from playing alongside Thiago Silva. Everyone does. He’s a leader off the pitch, on the pitch, and a really important player.”
You really do run out of superlatives to describe Silva.
The Brazilian centre-back was his usual self in terms of defending his box at Liverpool. He combines this with calmness in possession. Also, he expertly handled Darwin Nunez 1v1 a couple of times late on.
It’s remarkable to see what Silva is doing in the Premier League deep into his mid-thirties.
There’s not an abundance of leaders when you look around a fairly young squad of players at Stamford Bridge, but Silva is someone every player should be learning from on a daily basis.
Potter on Thiago Silva: "He's got a football brain that is above everybody pretty much. He understands the game and has played for so long at the highest level, his references are so strong." #CFC
— Adam Newson (@AdamNewson) January 21, 2023
source: https://www.thechelseachronicle.com/
