Cody Gakpo revealed that former Chelsea defender gave him more trouble than anyone else.
Chelsea defender leaves his mark on Gakpo
Cody Gakpo has battled against some of the biggest names in world football since arriving at Liverpool. But, when asked to pick the toughest opponent, he didn’t blink. He picked former Chelsea star Thiago Silva.
Gakpo noted how impressive Silva’s game reading was. The Blues during that time, were not known for having an unbreakable defense, but Silva stood out during that performance. He is calm, has experience, and just has a pure ability to anticipate and react to an attacker.
The Reds’ winger played him three times in Liverpool colors during his time at Chelsea. Liverpool earned a win and two draws, Gakpo was never able to score on Silva. For a forward used to finding ways past elite defenders, that silence on the scoresheet says it all.
A career built on class and leadership
Before his time in the PL, Silva had already won trophies and established himself. He was seen as one of the top defenders in the game at AC Milan and PSG. When Chelsea signed him, there were loud and public refrains. He answered those questions almost immediately with his more-than-consistent, leader, and top form. Meanwhile, he was often the one to hold together a shaky defense.
For Gakpo, facing Silva was more than just a physical test. It was a lesson in how intelligence can shut down even the sharpest attackers. The defender didn’t have to dive into tackles or show any speed, his technique and timing were enough. So, it’s no surprise that Gakpo selected him as the best he has played against. This is a compliment to Silva and shows he made an impact on football in England.
Author’s Opinion:
Unfortunately, Silva was not at Chelsea during their most successful years. But, he definitely had impact. The credit from Gakpo shows that class never ages, it simply changes its style.
As featured on Chelseanews.com
