MX23RW : Wednesday, December 11 14:52:24| >> :60:497:497:
[monks data]
Chelsea logo
Premier League | Gameweek 2
Sep 20, 2020 at 4.30pm UK
Stamford Bridge
Liverpool logo

Chelsea
0 - 2
Liverpool


Christensen (45+1')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Mane (50', 54')

Frank Lampard hails leadership of new Chelsea signing Thiago Silva

The veteran Brazil defender signed from Paris St Germain this summer.

Thiago Silva is undergoing a crash course in English to help kick-start his Chelsea career.

The Brazil defender is not yet match-sharp, so will not make his Chelsea debut in Sunday's Premier League clash with Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.

But while the 35-year-old is hard at work on Chelsea's Cobham training pitches, the former Paris St Germain centre-back has also been hitting the books in a bid to fast-track his adjustment to life in England.

"Thiago doesn't speak the language that well, but that's something we're working on very quickly," said Chelsea boss Frank Lampard.

"But we have a lot of players in the squad who are multilingual and will help with that."

Silva will turn 36 next week but Chelsea have been unfazed about his advancing years, given his vast experience and continued high levels of play.

The 89-cap Brazil defender excelled across eight years in Paris before making the switch to Chelsea, and while Silva might be battling the language barrier he is already making his presence felt.

"Thiago is certainly a leader, he brings that with him by nature," said Lampard.

"By his presence, by his attitude in training, by the quality of player that he is, he commands respect.

"I look forward to having him around. He already seems very engaging and intent on helping the team, and that's all you can ask for as a coach."

Brighton and Hove Albion v Chelsea – Premier League – AMEX Stadium
Frank Lampard, pictured, has hailed new recruit Thiago Silva's leadership qualities (Glyn Kirk/PA)

Chelsea's £200million summer rebuild has seen Silva, Timo Werner, Hakim Ziyech, Ben Chilwell, Kai Havertz and Malang Sarr all arrive in west London.

The Blues could still complete a deal for Rennes goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, and West Ham's Declan Rice has also been a long-term target.

While Chelsea eased into the new campaign with a 3-1 win at Brighton on Monday night, Lampard's men will face a far stiffer challenge against defending Premier League champions Liverpool this weekend.

Keeping all his players happy, fit and firing will be among the top tests for Lampard this term but the former Chelsea and England midfielder – who has allowed Davide Zappacosta to leave for Genoa on loan – is under no illusions as to the challenge.

He said: "That's the challenge for, I think, any coach in the Premier League.

"Every squad has to have, now, 20-plus players, particularly when you are fighting in all competitions, to handle the endurance test that is the season.

"Trying to find the right balance of the squad is something I think last year we were searching for a lot because we and I couldn't make changes to bring what I felt was better balance.

"This season we hope we will move towards having a real good balance between the squad but we must give that some time because when we have brought in players now, we haven't had a pre-season, so there is no doubt it will take time to get the team moving in the direction that I want it to."

ID:415001: cacheID:415001:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:6786:
Written by
P A
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp pictured on September 12, 2020
Read Next:
Jurgen Klopp talks up importance of Liverpool rotation after Thiago signing
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool14112129111835
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1585229151429
4Manchester CityMan City158342721627
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest157441918125
6Aston Villa157442323025
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Brentford157263128323
10Fulham156542220223
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle155551921-220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton143561421-714
16Leicester CityLeicester153572130-914
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich151681427-139
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1523102338-159
20Southampton1512121131-205


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!