Having already confirmed the signings of Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner, and now Ben Chilwell, Chelsea and manager Frank Lampard are not slowing down. The Blues have now completed the signing of Thiago Silva, according to Fabrizio Romano, and now just the official confirmation from the club is needed.
Thiago Silva Completes Chelsea Move
Bargain of the Summer?
While Chelsea have certainly not been shy about spending money during this transfer window, this could be a huge bargain buy for Lampard and his squad. Getting a player of Silva’s quality for free will be a huge asset next season.
He may be 35, but he is still a world-class defender, as he showed in his last-ever match for Paris Saint-Germain. Going up against the best striker in the world in Robert Lewandowski, Silva kept him quiet all game.
In football’s most important game, the Champions League final, the Brazilian veteran showed that class is permanent. Chelsea lacked some of that class in their backline last season, conceding 54 goals in the Premier League, more than any other side in the top half.
This signing may go under the radar considering the amount and quality of players the Blues have signed and will sign this summer, but make no mistake about it, this is a brilliant piece of business.
A New Leader at the Back
Another reason why Chelsea’s defence may have faltered last season was the lack of leadership. Cesar Azpilicueta is a good captain, but he lacks the vocal quality of John Terry, Gary Cahill, or even David Luiz.
That’s how important leadership is to a team; Azpilicueta is so much more consistent and reliable than Luiz, yet his ability to be a leader on the pitch has not been adequately replaced this season.
Antonio Rudiger is as close as Lampard had, but he struggled immensely last season, both with injury and performance. The boss needs a leader he can depend on to not only play well every week but to lead his team forward. Thiago Silva is that man.
While he can obviously only be a short-term fix, Silva gives Chelsea a reliable option at the back and he can finally bring the stability that Lampard has been crying out for at the back.
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