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Photo by Paul Harding - The FA/The FA via Getty Images
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Photo by Richard Martin-Roberts - CameraSport via Getty Images
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Chelsea FC v AC Milan - Pre-Season Friendly
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With that being said, it looks like Kroos would still take one ex-Blue over the Liverpool captain.
Toni Kroos names Thiago Silva in top three defenders of 21st century
Chelsea have had some fine centre-halves themselves, including John Terry and Thiago Silva. Robin van Persie recently discussed Terry and Silva, claiming that they are two of the toughest opponents he has ever faced.
Kroos also appears to be a big fan of the latter. When asked to name his top five defenders of the 21st century, the German included Silva but snubbed Van Dijk.
Speaking on Luppen TV, he said: “At number three, I have Thiago Silva… for me, he was a machine. He was also really composed in possession.”
Silva joined Chelsea late in his career but was still a hugely successful signing for the Blues. In total, he made 155 appearances before being released by the club in 2024.
During his time in west London, the Brazilian won the Champions League, Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup.
Chelsea still haven’t replaced Thiago Silva
Chelsea let Silva go at the end of the 2023/24 season. There have been five transfer windows since then and the Blues are yet to successfully replace him.
They have brought in other central defenders like Jorrel Hato and Maxence Lacroix. However, there is not a single defender in that backline who is as dominant, commanding and influential as Silva.
It is no wonder that Chelsea are conceding so many goals and have not kept a clean sheet in the Premier League since the start of the year. They had quite a productive transfer window in the summer, but it is clear that there are still plenty of things this Chelsea side need.
Chelsea could try to sign Jacobo Ramon from Como in January, and while the Spaniard is a good defender with a high ceiling, he is simply not on Silva’s level yet.