Thiago sees Silva lining after moving to The Bridge
THIAGO SILVA has set his sights on winning the Premier League title with Chelsea, insisting he does not lack motivation in the twilight of his career.
The defender joined Frank Lampard’s side from Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer in August and is waiting to make his Blues debut after being granted a longer break than his new teammates.
The Brazil centreback turned 36 yesterday, but he does not agree with suggestions he is past his best and will not be able to cope with the physical demands of the Premier League
Silva plans to feature at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and is targeting silverware with Chelsea after eight successful years with PSG, who won the French title and reached the Champions League final last season.
“What motivates me, day by day, is the hunger to win; to win everything within my reach,” Silva told Chelsea’s website yesterday.
“Coming to the Premier League, my main goal is to win the league title and I’m certain that we’ll be fighting for that every step of the way.”
“As I’ve said before, the prospect of playing at the next World Cup is another thing that really drives me,” he added.
BBC Radio 4’s Today
“I’ll be more or less 38 years old by the time of the next World Cup and I’m hugely motivated to be in good shape for it.”
Chelsea have spent around £200 million
(RM1.1b) on Frank Lampard’s close-season rebuild, with Timo Werner, Hakim Ziyech, Kai Havertz and Ben Chilwell all joining as well as
Silva.
Rennes goalkeeper
Edouard Mendy is also expected to arrive soon as Chelsea seek to improve on last season’s fourth-place finish in the Premier
League.
Lampard’s side finished 33 points behind champions
Liverpool, who beat them 2-0 at Stamford Bridge on Sunday to underscore the gap between the teams.
Silva wants to help Chelsea overhaul Liverpool and his experience and leadership could prove key elements in a defence that has been creaky since Lampard took charge last year.
“The club has gone a few years without spending big money, without regenerating the squad, but now we’re starting again on a new journey with some big signings,” Silva said.
“I hope that this reboot will bring the same success as the club has
enjoyed in the past.” – AFP reports, Neymar in fact used a homophobic slur against Gonzalez.
REAL MADRID have no interest in signing England midfielder Dele Alli, 24, from Tottenham.
EVERTON are in talks to sign Atletico Madrid and Colombia fullback Santiago Arias, 28.
THE Toffees want £80 million (RM424m) for striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, with Manchester United chasing the 23-year-old.
PORTO leftback Alex Telles is hopeful of sealing a move to Manchester United but the clubs are yet to agree a fee for the 27-year-old Brazil international.
THE Red Devils are also interested in RB Leipzig and France defender Dayot Upamecano, 21.
SPANISH striker Alvaro Morata, 27, is close to completing a return to Juventus from Atletico Madrid.
URUGUAY striker Luis Suarez, 33, has agreed to terminate his contract with Barcelona in order to move to Atletico Madrid.
CRYSTAL PALACE manager Roy Hodgson says it “will be hard” for the club to keep winger Wilfried Zaha if a bigmoney bid comes in for the 27-year-old Ivory Coast international.
URUGUAY striker Edinson Cavani, 33, has been offered to Real Madrid after leaving Paris St-Germain.
SEVILLA have confirmed they have turned down a bid for defender Jules Kounde. The 21-year-old France U-21 international has been linked with Manchester City.
FORMER Liverpool youth striker Bobby Duncan, 19, is set to leave Fiorentina to join Derby County.