Chelsea boss Frank Lampard has heaped praise on veteran defender Thiago Silva following a goalless home draw with Sevilla.
Chelsea failed to beat La Liga visitors at Stamford Bridge in their Champions League opener.
However, the Blues displayed a notable defensive improvement, which comes as a morale boost ahead of their upcoming clash against Manchester United.
Thiago Silva soaked up the limelight as Chelsea’s best defender following a stellar performance against Sevilla.
Only last weekend, Frank Lampard’s men gave away a one-goal lead in the dying moments of their thrilling 3-3 stalemate with Southampton.
Chelsea’s defensive woes have been brutally exposed on multiple occasions this term, as they’ve conceded nine goals after just five Premier League fixtures.
In fact, the London giants have just three clean sheets across all competitions since the turn of 2020/21.
Lampard has one man to thank for that – Thiago Silva! Despite having entered the autumn of his career, the 36-year-old has been the difference-maker so far.
Former Paris Saint-Germain captain has started all three of Chelsea’s competitive matches that have produced a clean sheet this season.
And although the English manager can’t rely on Silva to start every game, he made sure to pinpoint the Brazilian’s quality and significance to the team.
“I thought he was very good today,” Lampard said, as relayed by the Daily Mail. “I spoke about quality and experience before the game, and he brought both of those. And it affects others around him, which I think he did.
“He was a big plus in terms of getting the clean sheet. Over the season, I will manage him, and I have a very close relationship with him already, even if he uses a translator.
“I will always work closely with him, and I remember being in the same position myself towards the end of my career, in the last year in the Premier League.
“So, I will be very aware of maintenance training and his selection as we want him to play as many games as we can to be at his optimum level.”
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