Lampard hails Chelsea veteran Silva

Frank Lampard says the influence of Thiago Silva on his side’s young defenders cannot be overstated.

The 38-year-old was outstanding in Saturday’s 3-1 victory over Bournemouth alongside Benoit Badiashile, who marked his return to the side with Chelsea’s second goal in a hard-fought win at the Vitality Stadium.

Silva showed his class with a perfectly-timed second-half challenge in the penalty box to deny Dominic Solanke.

“Thiago is s classy in all aspects, as well as being a brilliant player,” interim boss Lampard said.

“He is also brilliant at looking after himself to play at this level.

“He is 38 and at that age I was playing in the MLS at that point, so to play centre-back in the Premier League what he must be doing with his body?

“He has a winning mentality and he would have been feeling it over the last few months.

“But he is a great reference point  for the young centre-backs around him. I have nothing but praise for him.”

Meanwhile, Chelsea are assessing a hamstring injury Ben Chilwell suffered during the second half.

“We don’t know how serious but with a hamstring at this stage of the season he has got to be a worry for the last four games,” Lampard said.