Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo has named former Chelsea defender Thiago Silva as the toughest defender he has faced in the Premier League. The 39-year-old centre-back recently joined Brazilian club Fluminese on a free transfer.
Notably, Silva joined the Blues in 2020, retaining his defensive qualities even in his aging years. He helped them win the Champions League, the FIFA Club World Cup, and the UEFA Super Cup, while making a total of 161 appearances for the club.Now, the defender is returning to his native Brazil to continue his lengthy and impressive career, but Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo will not quickly forget him. The Dutch forward was revealed that the 39-year-old was the toughest defender he faced in England, telling ESPN:
“I had this question one time before hand, and then, I named Thiago Silva, who was also one of my first game here at Liverpool. He was just really smart, he’s a little bit older now, but yeah, very class defender, really smart, thinking a few steps ahead.”
“So, I don’t even know if I got in a physical duel with him, but he just was there everywhere I was as well. I like those kind of defenders.”
While Thiago Silva has left Chelsea, Cody Gakpo is set to continue his career at Liverpool. The forward scored 16 goals and provided six assists in 53 games across all competitions for the Reds this season.
