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“I’m going to give it to Thiago Silva. He got the ball rolling with that magnificent jump for his header. He had Haller in his pocket, he put his head in so many centers and blocked some shots.”
Alan Smith named Thiago Silva man of the match in Chelsea’s 3-0 win over West Ham at Stamford Bridge, but the Sky sports The co-commentator wasn’t the only one impressed by the Brazilian veteran. This was another reminder of the 36-year-old central defender’s influence on this side.
Silva’s firm header opened the scoring for Chelsea in the first half, but there was plenty to defend after that. He did well, making six punts, three interceptions and a block. No player on the field did more. Ten aerial duels were also won. That was more than any other Chelsea player.
It helps explain why no Premier League team has conceded fewer goals than Frank Lampard’s in the last two months. The defensive concerns that plagued the team last season have subsided. With their leadership and quality, they now sport a more organized outfit.
Silva also had 92 touches and 75 passes, completing 69 of them. Again, these were high numbers in the game. Not only does he do the dirty work of defending, but he’s a footballer’s Rolls-Royce.
Even Lampard, the man who brought Silva to the club on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain this summer, was willing to admit that he had harbored some doubts due to his age.
Those doubts are gone.
2:57
FREE TO SEE: Highlights from Chelsea’s 3-0 win over West Ham
“I remember playing in the Premier League at 36 and I couldn’t play like he was playing week after week,” he said. Monday night football. “I was in and out of the team and I could feel it at that stage in my career. So what I’d say is that I was probably a little undecided.
“I knew he was a top player who had been a great player for a long time but with the pressures of the Premier League when you have not played there before and have been playing in France, without disrespecting him, he has probably beaten him slightly.
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Frank Lampard praised his team’s character by beating West Ham
“I really shouldn’t have been surprised. Now I’m working with him, I can see the quality, the preparation, the reading of the game, the desire to win head butts and compete with whoever he is playing against.
“He’s very studious about the game and he’s clearly going to be a coach or whatever he wants to be after he’s done playing. He’s been a great addition to us on and off the field.”
Gary Neville remembers the challenge of being an aging defender in the Premier League.
“I remember what it was like to be 35 or 36 and be exposed,” Neville said. Monday night football. “But he’s smart. I thought his attack from that corner was absolutely correct.”
Thiago Silva’s header opened Chelsea’s scoring against West Ham
With Kurt Zouma having the pace and presence to complement Silva, Chelsea has a balanced central defense association. With a more imposing goalkeeper now behind them, do they now have the foundation to mount a more compelling title challenge in Lampard’s second season in charge?
Neville thinks that could depend on Silva.
Saturday, December 26 5:00 pm
Start 5:30 pm
“If he stays fit and plays all season, I think Chelsea will have a good season,” he added.
“I think they will finish in the top four and I think for those who were intrigued to see how it would fare in this league, it is showing that it is world class. This idea of the Brazilian center-backs is tough as hell and I think the season will go well. season “.
Chelsea next matches
December 26 – Arsenal vs Chelsea
December 28: Chelsea vs Aston Villa
January 3 – Chelsea vs Man City
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