NCD SPORT: Thiago Silva admits he urged Chelsea to sign 25-year-old who eventually joins London rivals
Thiago Silva admits he urged Chelsea to sign 25-year-old who eventually joins London rivals
Chelsea defender Thiago Silva said he urged the club to sign former Lyon star Lucas Paqueta before the midfielder’s eventual transfer to West Ham.
According to Deloitte, Chelsea have spent more than any other Premier League club in this transfer window after splashing a total of £255.3million on players.
The arrival of new owners who are clearly willing to invest played a big part, obviously.
Todd Boehly and the Clearlake Capital consortium have not only invested in top players but also sought-after talents such as Carney Chukwuemeka and Cesare Casadei.
Silva was aware that Chelsea were trying to reinforce their squad the whole summer and even recommended the signing of his Brazil teammate Paqueta.
Japan v Brazil – International Friendly
“I didn’t talk to Paqueta in relation to him coming here [to Chelsea],” the centre-back told ESPN Brasil.
“I knew he was about to leave Lyon and I had some conversations here with some people [at Chelsea], but unfortunately things did not move forward, because we were not 100% sure he would leave Lyon.
“Last week it [rumours of Paqueta’s summer exit] got stronger, but we had other priorities. We needed a striker and another defender, but less of a midfielder.
“That’s why things didn’t evolve well.”
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Silva looking forward to playing against Paqueta in Saturday’s derby
Paqueta eventually joined West Ham and Chelsea signed Juventus midfielder Denis Zakaria on loan on the deadline day.
Silva is still happy that Paqueta secured a transfer to a Premier League club, although it means that they could face each other at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
“I am happy for Paqueta, West Ham have a very good structure,” Silva added.
“They are a big club from a Premier League scene.
“I just hope he will be sad on Saturday [Chelsea vs West Ham], and afterwards he can be happy and can arrive at the World Cup playing good football.”
