Summer signing Thiago Silva having influence on Chelsea defenders

James Shearman

• Updated: 19 May 2021 15:43 BST
• 2 min read

Thiago Silva has been an influential member of the Chelsea dressing room since joining from PSG last summer, with Reece James heaping praise on the 36-year-old’s character.

Silva left Paris after a disappointing Champions League final defeat to Bayern Munich, opting for Frank Lampard’s Chelsea as his next destination.

The Brazilian has been instrumental for the West London club with not only his seamless fit into what was a shaky back line, but his professional conduct off the pitch in helping the younger players.

After a poor Christmas period at the club, Silva was reunited with former boss Thomas Tuchel and remains one of the first names on the teamsheet in this Chelsea squad.

The Blues’ promising full-back Reece James has credited the Ligue 1 and Serie A winner for sharing his top level experience with the 21-year-old since arriving.

“I think, this season, Thiago Silva has probably influenced my career the most so far, just because he is well experienced and played at the very top of the game for the last 15 years,” James told BBC Sport.

“He has taken me under his wing, coached me and told me where I need to do better and where I am doing well.”

This comes as so no surprise to the Chelsea faithful as left-back Ben Chilwell also expressed his appreciation for Silva’s personality on and off the pitch.

“Yes, he is a massive personality,” Chilwell told Soccer AM. “When you train with him and you play with him he just has that calming aura.

“For me, against Burnley, where I played alongside him, he was constantly telling me where to be in my positioning, helping me out.”