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He has played in World Cup and Champions League finals, and has operated on the greatest venues in football, but Thiago Silva will remember Saturday night at The Hawthorns with crisp clarity.
This was a Premier League debut at the age of 36, where Silva received a crash course in English football and a glimpse of what awaits him in the next 12 months of his career.
The Brazilian started the game as captain, made a big mistake for West Brom’s second goal and handed the bracelet to César Azpilicueta for the second half.
After 72 minutes he was retired and his dizzying debut ended with him sitting on the bench watching Chelsea save a point three minutes into overtime.
Welcome to England, Thiago.
There were certainly glimpses of the player who has been one of the most consistent and decorated central midfielders in European football of the last decade, but this was a tough introduction.
His English is limited, after signing for Paris Saint-Germain at the end of last month, and manager Frank Lampard has admitted that it is an obstacle Chelsea must overcome. It is understood that Silva is receiving English lessons five days a week.
“He doesn’t speak the language very well and it’s something we have to work on,” Lampard said.
“We have not had time. Thiago shows up here pretty cool and has been in and around us, I’m sure he’ll pick up on it quickly.
“Some players in the dressing room do speak the language he speaks, French being the main one, but if language is a small barrier, we need time to work. That is what we have in front of us.
“He still showed his leadership qualities. People will talk about the second goal and that is the nature of being a top level footballer that he has been throughout his career.
“But at the same time we saw what he is like and his leadership qualities, and we are going to see more of that.”