Thiago Silva | Chelsea Player

Dancfc

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Its a fantastic punt by Lampard, it really is. I was always a massive Thiago Silva fan, but I really doubted this transfer, at his age, having played in a lesser league for so long, but he is boosting his legacy and profile and I am delighted for him (as an adopted Brazilian)

I was convinced they were scrimping with Silva and Mendy but they both look fantastic. I got it totally wrong in the Chelsea thread and Lampard deserves a lot of praise. He has gotten the summer spot on when he absolutely needed to.
His jockeying at the end vs Moura once Zouma made that mistake was unreal, i dread to imagine Rudi in that situation!

He would have fitted Liverpool, Spurs and Arsenal like a glove aswell (not so much United as Maguire needs a pacey athletic type next to him) which makes me even more amazed we had no competition for him!
 

Teja

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Put Adama against him and let’s see how he gets on :D

Seriously though, looks class.
 

WeePat

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It still feels quite surreal to watch Thiago Silva at my club every single week. If only we signed him 5 years ago.
 

WeePat

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Aside from the mistake in the very first game, he has been pretty flawless. Players like Chilwell, Zouma and Kante have all said he's constantly talking/shouting instructions at them. I really don't think this signing could have worked any better (so far, obviously and long may it continue).

 

unbeatabla

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He's been brilliant. He's 36 and not the most physical of defenders, so I wasn't entirely sure how he would do moving to the PL at that age. But apart from his first game he's hardly put a foot wrong. His positioning and anticipation are world class and his composure on the ball is a huge plus for us. Easily the best CB we've had since Terry in the 14/15 season.
 

TheMagicFoolBus

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Aside from the mistake in the very first game, he has been pretty flawless. Players like Chilwell, Zouma and Kante have all said he's constantly talking/shouting instructions at them. I really don't think this signing could have worked any better (so far, obviously and long may it continue).

The pass at 1:20 in that video is genuinely incredible technique. Silva's passing is such a massive asset for us - he's always able to find the free man and get the ball to him quickly.
 

WeePat

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The pass at 1:20 in that video is genuinely incredible technique. Silva's passing is such a massive asset for us - he's always able to find the free man and get the ball to him quickly.
Completely agree. It was so bizarre to see Leeds leave him in acres of space again and again. Usually teams press Silva and let Zouma progress with the ball.
 

Dancfc

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The comments here after the WBA game were mind-blowing, I never realised truly what a reactive place this until that and the Nagelsmann thread after the United/Leipzig game.
 

Web of Bissaka

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Press him hard.
Should be what every opposing team do.

:drool: Class is permanent. That said, the quality of CBs have been declining so it's not surprising he showed the stark differences.

Then again, does he get caught beaten by pace yet?
Surely eventually he'll get exposed. Unless Chelsea set-up defensively at deeper positions. Teams still figuring out?
 

Dancfc

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Press him hard.
Should be what every opposing team do.

:drool: Class is permanent. That said, the quality of CBs have been declining so it's not surprising he showed the stark differences.

Then again, does he get caught beaten by pace yet?
Surely eventually he'll get exposed. Unless Chelsea set-up defensively at deeper positions. Teams still figuring out?
He may not be a speedster but he's not exactly a slouch either, plus he's surrounded by pace and energy so if he ever does get caught he'll likely be bailed out anyway.
 

duffer

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Press him hard.
Should be what every opposing team do.

:drool: Class is permanent. That said, the quality of CBs have been declining so it's not surprising he showed the stark differences.

Then again, does he get caught beaten by pace yet?
Surely eventually he'll get exposed. Unless Chelsea set-up defensively at deeper positions. Teams still figuring out?
He's not slow. Slower than the likes of Tomori or Rudiger (the two fastest at Chelsea) but I'd back him in a race against Christensen.
 

Pow

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His reading of the game is ridiculous. Just from what im watching week in week out i feel like i underrated him cause i couldnt even think how good he would be if he read the game like that in his physical prime about 10 years ago.
Hes fantastic for zouma reece and chilwell too.
 

Synco

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He's not slow. Slower than the likes of Tomori or Rudiger (the two fastest at Chelsea) but I'd back him in a race against Christensen.
Plus it's also about reading situations, positioning, decisions, reaction time. Being quick in the head gives you a headstart.
 

Dancfc

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His reading of the game is ridiculous. Just from what im watching week in week out i feel like i underrated him cause i couldnt even think how good he would be if he read the game like that in his physical prime about 10 years ago.
Hes fantastic for zouma reece and chilwell too.
I know it's a moot point as he had no interest in the PL back then but i can't help but wonder what if we had got him in 2012.
 

united_99

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The comments here after the WBA game were mind-blowing, I never realised truly what a reactive place this until that and the Nagelsmann thread after the United/Leipzig game.
Really? You just need to visit the Ole sack thread or any match day thread to know this.
 

Pow

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I know it's a moot point as he had no interest in the PL back then but i can't help but wonder what if we had got him in 2012.
:) i still wish the aguero godin double swoop went through way back when.
 

RooneyLegend

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Press him hard.
Should be what every opposing team do.

:drool: Class is permanent. That said, the quality of CBs have been declining so it's not surprising he showed the stark differences.

Then again, does he get caught beaten by pace yet?
Surely eventually he'll get exposed. Unless Chelsea set-up defensively at deeper positions. Teams still figuring out?
Reading play is very important to not being caught out by pace. That's what he's phenomenal at. It's about reacting to play at the right time. He's just a textbook defender, best I've ever seen.
 

Synco

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For a glimpse of Thiago Silva in his prime, here's an all touch compilation from PSG's 2013 home game against Barcelona and their relentless high pressing.



Individual stats:

tackles (att./succ.): 4/4
interceptions: 7
clearances: 8
blocks: 1
aerial duels won: 3
fouls: -

And yes, that's the short version. The full-on nerd one with more focus on off the ball movement is in the Draft Forum's match compilation thread.
 
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GlasgowCeltic

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Feel like him Zlatan and Cavani all had major question marks against them in the eyes of Prem watchers, so it’s great to see all three come here and instantly demonstrate their quality, makes me wonder if it should be Neymars next move
 

RashyForPM

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I can’t believe that the 2nd best defender behind Ramos of the previous decade got messed around with like a 7 year old by Callum Robinson :lol:

Still though, he’s showed his class since.
 

giorno

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Ability-wise he's probably the best defender in football history. Would be considered such if he'd gone to barcelola, madrid or bayern instead of PSG, too

Although on the other hand, his one limitation was the ability to cope with pressure, so maybe he would have folded at those clubs instead
 

Pow

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Immense isnt even the word for his performance today. Lost count at how many times he or zouma got the ball away under pressure. What a player he is.
 

Tottenhamguy

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Best Centerback from the year's 2010-2020 ahead of the like's of Ramos/Pique/ Chiellini/Boateng.

A real shame he never made the move to the Barclay's Premier League sooner and played most of his prime year's in France.
 

Pow

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Best Centerback from the year's 2010-2020 ahead of the like's of Ramos/Pique/ Chiellini/Boateng.

A real shame he never made the move to the Barclay's Premier League sooner and played most of his prime year's in France.
More i see him the more i know hed have pissed this league in his prime
give him his physicality and athleticism with the reading of the game he has, hes phenomenal.
 

izec

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He was always an exceptional CB, went under the radar in France. Was one of the best in Milan as well.
 

arthurka

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Best Centerback from the year's 2010-2020 ahead of the like's of Ramos/Pique/ Chiellini/Boateng.

A real shame he never made the move to the Barclay's Premier League sooner and played most of his prime year's in France.
Bet his checkbook isn't bummed about it.

He was absolutely brilliant tonight, even if he could only play once every two weeks and bring these performances getting this guy for free would be a great deal. Chelsea really done well, he also looks to be teaching Zouma a thing or two.

Had my doubts he still had it but he really looks sublime.
 

MayosNoun

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He is absolutely brilliant and just walks through games. The improvement Zouma and Reece James have had since the signing of Silva is remarkable and not a coincidence.

Thiago Silva and Mendy are two very important signings for Chelsea. Previously having Kepa and Christensen now sounds more like a nightmare than a memory.
 

WeePat

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He is absolutely brilliant and just walks through games. The improvement Zouma and Reece James have had since the signing of Silva is remarkable and not a coincidence.

Thiago Silva and Mendy are two very important signings for Chelsea. Previously having Kepa and Christensen now sounds more like a nightmare than a memory.
Christensen would have likely made a similar leap in performance levels if he got the chance to play alongside Silva and Mendy.
 

MayosNoun

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Christensen would have likely made a similar leap in performance levels if he got the chance to play alongside Silva and Mendy.
If sarcasm, it’s great. If serious, lay off the drugs.

Christensen is an abysmal footballer. He is absolutely horrendous and has zero physicality. Zouma is a monster and a physical specimen. If you genuinely believe Christensen would perform as well as Zouma you must be Danish, or a relative of Christensen.
 

WeePat

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no thanks
I know you don't rate him mate, we've had this discussion before. I think he's a good footballer who, just as Zouma did, suffered from playing in front of Kepa and in a back 4 that lacked Thiago Silva's guidance and leadership. I don't think I'm saying anything controversial here.
 
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TheMagicFoolBus

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Christensen would have likely made a similar leap in performance levels if he got the chance to play alongside Silva and Mendy.
The issue is Christensen isn't a complement for Silva the way Zouma is - it's really remarkable how perfectly Silva and Zouma's strengths and weaknesses cover for each other (e.g. Silva lacks a bit of pace & height while Zouma is among the fastest CBs in Europe and is literally the best in aerial duels; Zouma doesn't play the ball particularly well and he can get caught up the pitch at times while Silva is the best passing CB in Europe and reads the game better than anyone).