The one thing this video doesn't show is his extreme composure in high pressure situations. For example, his cushion headers/passes to teammates when 99% of CBs would just aimlessly clear the ball. Terry used to do the exact same thing, and its what I love most about Silva. It's the sign of a top defender.
Thiago Silva | Chelsea Player
- Thread starter horsechoker
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Has been the best defender in world football since 2011/2012. One of the best of all time.
In my opinion, his choices of clubs doesn’t help his case though. Doing it at 40 in the prem is probably a byproduct of coasting in the French League for so many years.
In my opinion, his choices of clubs doesn’t help his case though. Doing it at 40 in the prem is probably a byproduct of coasting in the French League for so many years.
Possibly. The one thing we can definitely agree on is that the Milan version of Silva was certainly superior to peak Varane, which is incredible when you consider that Varane will go down as a legend with his trophy haul.
Yeah agreed there 100%. And also agree with the other posters lamenting what could have been if he'd only gone to a top club instead of PSG - but selfishly it does make our CL win in 21 just a bit sweeter knowing it got such a legend his biggest club trophy!
True, and I think this is one of the things he's probably the best in the world at. He has exceptional technique (of the Brazilian juggling kind), but he uses it in a strictly pragmatic way.
Fully agree. It's strange - while a relative decline in athleticism is obvious (but not exactly dramatic), I'd still struggle to say he's significantly worse than his prime self. One thing that may be even better than ever is the mental side of his game. He said so himself, and it's likely more than just the mandatory auto-suggestion of professional athletes. I think he cultivated an inch-perfect sense of what he's able to do in a given situation, which goes a long way in balancing out any effects of age. He's also said to have a Cristiano-like commitment to his fitness regime.
It's clear the initial doubts have proven to be just generic: too old, will get exposed for pace, won't cope with the intensity of the PL, can't play in a back 4 anymore, can't be a regular starter for a season, will get grilled in a high line, struggles with pressure... none of this has happened, rather the opposite.
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Thiago Silva is one of the best defenders I have ever seen at Chelsea.
It’s a shame he spent so many years in Ligue 1 but what a signing he has been. He doesn’t appear to be slowing down whatsoever either.
It’s a shame he spent so many years in Ligue 1 but what a signing he has been. He doesn’t appear to be slowing down whatsoever either.
The first couple of pages area very funny to read. Especially around his debut game.
Tbf, that was quite a bummer
We should have gone in for him. A joy to watch and loyal as they come. I was dissapointed we didn't. His read on the game is sublime and probably make him energy efficient enough to compensate enough pace decline to keep performing for a few years. Health advances today evidently let's certain type of players keep going and going.
This being a personal favourite of all the awful predictions.
Yeah and tbf I was trashing Rudiger in those first few pages and he ended improving into one of the top CBs in EuropeTbf, that was quite a bummer
I think I said "Rudiger is comfortably our worst CB" unironically, and now I would commit many many crimes to have him backYeah and tbf I was trashing Rudiger in those first few pages and he ended improving into one of the top CBs in Europe
I predicted Koulibaly would be poor in this league.
I’m glad I don’t have any predictions as such in this thread.
I’m glad I don’t have any predictions as such in this thread.
He's brilliant. Can't believe that he's still performing at this level at his age, in the EPL no less.
His reading is certainly that. In fact I'd much rather have cover for him in a back 5 than see him dropped when he eventually can't keep up. At his age I would have expected way more muscular issues from the weekly grind.
Apparently he looks after himself as well as anyone and is obsessed with his fitness and diet.
Some awful awful takes in this thread. Some members are way too quick to write players off when they arrive at a new league/club specially when they showed their class elsewhere
You were trashing AC and bigging up Zouma as his superior in this thread. One ended up improving so much under Tuchel and helped us win the CL and is now at Barca and the other is fighting relegation at West Ham, kicking cats for fun in his spare time
He top 3 right now.
The media reserves number 1 for Van Dijk. Regardless of performances.
very true
Id love to say that wasn’t me. In fairness I never liked AC. Such a feeble centre back.You were trashing AC and bigging up Zouma as his superior in this thread. One ended up improving so much under Tuchel and helped us win the CL and is now at Barca and the other is fighting relegation at West Ham, kicking cats for fun in his spare time
But Zouma, no excuses.
You've had quite the collection of top class centre-backs down the years. Not many clubs could better the quartet of Desailly, Terry, Carvalho and Thiago Silva.
Time waits for no man. And when an aging central defender suddenly decompensates it’s a disaster for the team, no matter how classy they were before the end. This is one long term contract I reckon Chelsea will definitely regret.
It wont be along term contract, it'll be one more season.
It’s mad to think that he arrived at the age of nearly 36 and then proceeds to spend 4 seasons as a starter and arguably the most important player in the team.
He is an absolute legend and I’m not one to use that word lightly. Even at his age, he would make the vast majority of elite teams better. I’m really not sure how many CBs currently playing could truly be called World Class like him.
He’s the best of his generation, ahead of Ramos for me.
Good knowledge. Desailly is often overlooked in these discussion although I can appreciate some people may remember him from his midfield days.
Never thought he'd have such great longevity.
He is absolutely crucial to us.
If he can continue to support Badiashile, who looks excellent, he will be worth his weight in gold.
If he can continue to support Badiashile, who looks excellent, he will be worth his weight in gold.
Should be another 8.5 year contract but I'll take another 1 for now.
As embarrassing as it is for Chelsea after spending so much, he's still their most reliable defender.
He's been a great pick up for them.
He’s been imperious. An amazing defender who has maintained his class compared to someone who has been great for just 2 years all his career and was called as the best centre back ever.
He is the only defender in my book in today’s game who belongs to the great era of defenders of 90’s and 00’s. All your Ramos’s, Van dijk’s, Pique’s and Pepe’s aren’t close to him imo.
He is the only defender in my book in today’s game who belongs to the great era of defenders of 90’s and 00’s. All your Ramos’s, Van dijk’s, Pique’s and Pepe’s aren’t close to him imo.
He is the best CB in the league. Nothing wrong with that
39 in September! To be almost 40 in such a difficult league, and be one of the best defenders in it, is mad.
Its quite interesting revisiting historical posts.
To be honest I thought he was too old when he signed and if the £110k a week is right been an absolute bargain