‘Unbelievable’: Gary Neville shocked by what £110k-a-week Chelsea player has done at the World Cup

Add as preferred source on Google

Gary Neville is amazed by how well Chelsea and Brazil star Thiago Silva can still defend at his age after watching him at the World Cup

Silva, who turned 38 a couple of months ago, continues to shine on the biggest stage.

The veteran £110,000-a-week defender is captaining Brazil at the World Cup in Qatar, with qualification to the knockout rounds now secured with a game to spare in their group.

It’s quite remarkable that the South American giants have not even conceded a shot on target during their first two matches.

Gary Neville amazed by Thiago Silva

ITV pundit Neville was left shocked after watching Silva in yesterday’s World Cup clash between Brazil and Switzerland.

He can’t believe how the centre-back can still take such a front-footed approach to always press the opposition striker, with Switzerland’s Breel Embolo getting very little change out of the Brazil defence on Monday.

“They (Brazil) push up the pitch unbelievably. I don’t know how Thiago Silva at his age is still pushing up that pitch. I think back at my career, to get in front of your forward all the time, to try and win it, is one of the hardest that you try and do – he’s still doing that late into his thirties – it’s unbelievable,” Neville told ITV 1 (28 November).

In our view, Brazil should consider resting Silva for their final group match ahead of the knockout stage.

The ball-playing centre-half is oozing class on the World Cup stage this tournament so far, something he does on a regular basis in Chelsea colours.

If Brazil are to win the World Cup, their captain will be at the very heart of their success.

Football London claims Graham Potter’s side will hold conversations with Silva about his future post-World Cup.

With the way he’s still playing, it definitely makes sense to offer him another one-year contract extension to remain at Stamford Bridge.

Keep up to date with all the latest Chelsea news and opinion by following The Chelsea Chronicle’s Facebook and Twitter accounts.