Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Thiago Silva has already made feelings clear on Chelsea re-hiring Frank Lampard
Thiago Silva was signed by Frank Lampard during his first spell as Chelsea manager.
Frank Lampard been appointed Chelsea interim manager
Chelsea star Thiago Silva has previously sung the praises of Frank Lampard after he brought the defender to the club from Paris Saint-Germain in 2020. The pair will now work together again at Stamford Bridge, with Lampard returning as the Blues’ interim manager until the end of the season following the sacking of Graham Potter.
Lampard has been brought in to steady the ship in London, with the Chelsea ownership hoping to buy themselves some time to appoint a long-term manager over the summer. The former Blues captain has been tasked with a European charge as well as ensuring that the club perform commendably in the Champions League.
The Englishman will therefore be relying on some of the more experienced heads in the dressing room to ensure that he can hit the ground running at Chelsea. Players such as Mason Mount, Mateo Kovacic and Silva will therefore be expected to step up and be counted to ensure that the Blues are able to return to form.
The latter revealed that he spoke with Lampard over the phone after he joined the club in 2020, praising the ex-midfielder’s promptness in congratulating him on the transfer on social media and thanking his then-manager for the vote of confidence. Silva explained: “As soon as I said yes, he sent me a picture of us both shaking hands as national team captains in 2013. It was a nice surprise.
Don't miss... Chelsea contact Nuno Espirito Santo as three new candidates enter race [LATEST]
“He understood exactly what I needed at this stage of my career, probably because he had made a similar move when he was also 36, from Chelsea to Manchester City.
"I didn't think twice when I heard Chelsea were interested in me – not only because of their history but also because Willian and David Luiz invariably spoke highly of them.
Don't miss...
Chelsea 'contact' Jose Mourinho in hope of unleashing talented duo [LATEST]
Frank Lampard's Chelsea backroom staff 'confirmed' as deal finalised [NEWS]
Mac Allister 'already in talks' as Premier League quartet linked [TRANSFER]
"Marina [Granovskaia, club director] called me after I'd agreed, then passed me on to Frank. It was through a translator because I still don't speak English and his accent was even tougher for me!"
Lampard has looked back on his first tenure at Chelsea previously, though never been shy to praise Silva. He told The Overlap that the Brazil international had sent him a text following the club’s Champions League win under Thomas Tuchel, saying ‘Thank you for bringing me to the club’.
The pair reuniting could therefore bring a sense of stability as two of the most decorated players in the dressing room, with Lampard’s desire to play young prospects potentially set to bear fruit as well.