SILVA WASN’T KEEN TO PLAY IN ‘LONG-BALL’ EPL

CHELSEA new boy Thiago Silva has revealed he previously had no interest in joining the Premier League because he considered English football to be about long balls and long-range shots. The 36-year-old left Paris SaintGermain for Stamford Bridge this summer and is likely to make his debut tonight against Barnsley in the Carabao Cup. ‘I had never seen myself in the Premier League previously,’ admitted Silva. ‘My impression of the football was of long balls, high balls and long shots. I thought at the time that I couldn’t see myself playing in that. ‘But, over time, I have seen that it has developed tremendously, there’s a lot more technical quality. Little by little, the Premier League won me over.’ The Brazil defender has won 30 trophies during a stellar career and will add experience to a backline that has faltered throughout Frank Lampard’s tenure. Silva is keen to pick up phrases that will allow him to make an immediate impact. ‘It’s going to be difficult, it always is with a new language,’ said Silva, who already speaks Italian, French, Spanish and his native Portuguese. ‘I’m studying Monday to Friday to speak English, looking at the basic terms and words — tracking back, changing sides. You prioritise the important words.’

▪ WEST BROM manager Slaven Bilic has been charged with improper conduct by the FA. The Croatian boss came on to the pitch at half-time in his side’s defeat by Everton last Saturday and was shown a red card by referee Mike Dean for his protests. The FA has now decided to charge him over the incident. Bilic said: ‘As a manager, I should be in a situation to ask the referee what’s going on.’