Thomas Tuchel has described Chelsea’s veteran defender Thiago Silva as “precious” to his side.
Aged 37, Silva continues to be one of the outstanding performers every week in the Blues XI.
The Brazilian centre-back signed a one-year contract extension this week, which now keeps him at Stamford Bridge until the end of next season.
There were plenty of doubters when he moved to English football in the summer of 2020 about his fitness, but he’s been excellent for 18 months as a Chelsea player. It’s wonderful to hear he’ll be on the club’s books in the 2022/23 campaign, too.
Blues manager Tuchel has referred to it as a “miracle” that Silva plays like he does so consistently at his age:
“I know how much work, how much professional attitude is behind that,” Tuchel said.
“It is a miracle in a way because with this league, this schedule, this intensity of a daily business at the very end of his career, it was a very brave decision for him but I know how much effort he puts in to stay fit.
“Off the pitch, taking care of his recovery, sleep, nutrition, this is simply outstanding and only because of that it is possible.
“We are happy because the new new contract makes him calm, he needs to be calm as he is a very sensitive and emotional person. This makes him also so precious for our team and dressing room, he can feel emotions and different ones form others so can help so much.”
Chelsea have one of the best CBs around
Silva, called “classy” by Jermaine Jenas last month, is such an authoritative figure in the Chelsea backline.
There is a real calmness in defence when he starts as the middle centre-back in a back three, which gives him the space to dictate from deep.
His technique and passing range with the ball at his feet is such a great weapon. Also, he absolutely loves the art of defending.
He might not be the quickest anymore, but he normally thinks and reads the game better than everyone on the pitch to nullify opposition strikers with ease.
If you were picking the best centre-backs currently playing across the entire Premier League, Chelsea’s defensive warrior Silva has to be in people’s top five as a minimum.
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