[ad_1]
Publication date: Saturday, November 7, 2020 9:57 AM
Frank Lampard is convinced that Thiago Silva “absolutely enters” the top echelon of the Premier League center-backs and says he can do for Chelsea what Virgil Van Dijk has done for Liverpool.
Chelsea manager Lampard believes Brazilian stalwart Silva has already helped transform the Blues’ defense.
The 36-year-old … a free transfer signing from PSG – helped Chelsea rack up five clean sheets in a row. It is the first time since October 2010 that they have succeeded. A lot of credit has also accumulated new goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, who has six shutouts in a row himself.
Silva has already exuded calm and class in his brief stint at Stamford Bridge. That has seen Lampard making favorable comparisons to league winners and defensive axes in Liverpool’s Van Dijk and Manchester City legend Vincent Kompany.
“In terms of the career he’s had, of course he’s in that group. He absolutely fits into that group of top center-backs that includes players like Van Dijk and Kompany, ”Lampard said.
“Teams that have been successful in recent times have individuals or couples who set those kinds of standards. It is imperative, and we know the importance of defending well to try to win trophies, particularly Premier League titles.
“But they also need support behind them, around them, in front of them.
“When you watch the performances of Thiago In his first games, the impact that I keep talking about him can be very important to us.
“But we need a lot more than that, of course, we need a lot more, so I don’t want to crown it with anything now.
“Thiago’s influence has been enormous; Even without the language, his professionalism has been very clear, that spreads to the players, they respect him.
“His performances have been very, very good. He handles himself, he trains well, he prepares well, it is very obvious to him and understandable why he has had the incredible career that he has had thus far.
“And it was great to have him as part of the team.
“I think the players admire him for the way he goes about his daily activities and his performance.
“It’s great for the younger players, all the players on the squad.
“Without a doubt it is a pleasure to train and manage a player with such intensity in wanting to perform at the highest level.
“Even her age doesn’t seem like a big deal. We’re handling him a bit, but when you look at his performances and how he trains, it’s been a really positive story so far.
“Keep it up, not just for him, but also for the influence he has on the team.”
Sign up for the TEAMtalk daily newsletter …
Pulisic hit for Chelsea
Chelsea host Sheffield United in Saturday’s Premier League match, with Spanish goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga back in shape after shoulder problems.
Senegalese international Mendy should continue with the gloves but the Blues must again do without Christian pulisic.
The American forward suffered a hamstring injury in warm-up and was withdrawn from Chelsea’s 3-0 Premier League victory at Burnley.
The 22-year-old had tentatively returned to training earlier this week, but now Blues boss Lampard admitted that Chelsea are still looking to solve the Pulisic problem.
When asked if Pulisic would be involved against the Blades, Lampard said: “No, he is not fit to play; still suffering with hamstring.
“He is not training at the moment. He trained at a low level in the middle of the week but wasn’t comfortable so we have to keep looking for the right solution.
“Kepa has recovered, it still hurts a bit, but he’s on the squad.”
Kai Havertz missed Wednesday’s 3-0 Champions League win over Rennes after testing positive for Covid-19 and will also miss the weekend’s league match.
READ MORE: Chelsea discovers that ‘Champ’s best player’ has a negotiation exit clause
[ad_2]
