"He was just really smart" - Liverpool's Cody Gakpo names ex-Chelsea star as the toughest defender he's faced in the PL
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 left the Blues to rejoin 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 Chelsea win the Champions League, the FIFA Club World Cup, and the UEFA Super Cup, while making a total of 155 appearances for the English club.
Although the veteran defender is returning to his native Brazil to continue his lengthy and impressive career, Liverpool's Cody Gakpo will not quickly forget him. The Dutch forward revealed that the Brazilian was the toughest defender he faced in England.
"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," Gakpo told ESPN.
"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," he added.
Thiago Silva and Cody Gakpo came up three times against each other, with Liverpool winning once and two games ending in a draw. The forward failed to score or provide an assist in those matches.
Former Liverpool defender slams Chelsea owners for Mauricio Pochettino's exit
Despite leading Chelsea to the Europa Conference League and improving their results in the final months of the season, the club decided to part ways with Mauricio Pochettino.
The Blues were languishing outside the top 10 for the majority of the season but a strong finish saw them finish sixth. If not for eighth-placed Manchester United beating champions Manchester City in the FA Cup final, Chelsea would have played in the Europa League next season.
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher doesn't think sacking Pochettino was the right move, as he told Metro (via ChelseaNews):
“That was probably the biggest shock I’ve had this season. I could not believe it, it’s a ridiculous decision, but, it’s just another one on the long list of ridiculous decisions Chelsea have made.”
Carragher's shock is fairly understandable, as Pochettino notably led the young squad to the final of the Carabao Cup, where they lost to the Reds. He also helped the club to a sixth-place finish in the Premier League, a big improvement from the season prior when they had finished 12th.