Thiago Silva ‘will fit’ in Premier League says pundit
Chelsea signing Thiago Silva will "count for nothing" if Frank Lampard does not bring in a new goalkeeper this summer, according to former West Ham No 1 Shaka Hislop. Experienced former Paris Saint-Germain captain Silva has joined Chelsea on an initial one-year deal. The 35-year-old became the third defender to sign for Chelsea this week after the £50million arrival of Ben Chilwell and fellow free transfer Malang Sarr.
Hislop believes the signing of Silva in particular is a positive move for Lampard going forward.
However, the pundit claims goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga must be replaced to get the best out of the defenders in front of him.
"I think the signing of Thiago Silva is a significant step in the right direction," Hislop told ESPN FC.
"[But] I think it counts for nothing if you, and in particular the centre-halves in front of him, don't have the trust in the goalkeeper behind them. That continues to be an issue.
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"Given the transfer fee that Chelsea paid for Kepa, given the wages that he'd be on, you'd have to be prepared to take a huge cut in moving him on and probably pick up part of his salary. That's easier said than done.
"Also in replacing him, whoever comes in will want to be put on just as much money as Kepa had been on. So it gives Frank Lampard a real headache."
Meanwhile, Hislop says the only thing stopping Chelsea from challenging for the Premier League title this season could be their new signings taking time to gel together.
"They are [building to win the title], if not this season [then next]," Hislop said.
"My only question mark with the additions is how do all the parts fit together in terms of team chemistry?
"We've seen a number of teams in the past spend heavily in the summer and it just doesn't gel straight away."
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