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Thiago Silva is a “joy” to coach, says Chelsea boss Graham Potter, as the Brazil captain eyes a return to action against former club Milan in the Champions League this week.
The experienced defender missed the Blues’ Premier League clash with Wolves on Saturday after suffering from a cold, but was on press duty at San Siro ahead of Tuesday’s encounter.
Silva spent three years at Milan between 2009 and 2012, where he was a Serie A winner, before going on to achieve domestic success with Paris Saint-Germain and European glory with Chelsea.
Potter declared the 38-year-old’s return from a brief absence was a major boost, hailing him as a model professional on and off the pitch.
“Thiago was [fine] when we played Milan [last Wednesday], but he just got a little worse as the week went on,” Potter stated on Silva’s earlier absence. “It made no sense to play him again.
“But he has recovered well, and he’s been incredibly impressive on and off the pitch.
“As a leader, he’s a top professional, and a top person. He’s been a joy to work with.”
Potter will be without N’Golo Kante and Hakim Ziyech for Tuesday’s encounter, however, with the former battling a hamstring injury and the latter feeling under the weather.
“It is not ideal, and certainly disappointing for both him and for us,” Potter said of Kante’s condition.
“So we have to wait and see the extent and then go from there. Hakim has a sore throat and that is why he has not travelled.”
