Thiago Silva urged Chelsea to sign his international teammate who now plays for West Ham

Thiago Silva wanted Lucas Paqueta to sign for Chelsea instead of West Ham United

Speaking to ESPN Brazil (h/t Evening Standard), Chelsea defender Thiago Silva toyed with the possibility of his club signing his international teammate Lucas Paqueta from French side Lyon. The midfielder eventually signed for West Ham United for a fee that could be worth over £50m.

Paqueta was linked with a number of clubs across Europe in the summer. Silva is a big fan of his and backs him to be a shining star in the Premier League.

The 25-year-old is an excellent talent who is a major coup for West Ham this summer. Chelsea had other areas in the squad to be filled before they would look to add a player of this profile and quality.

Talking about Paqueta on ESPN Brazil (h/t Evening Standard), here’s Silva:

I heard he was about to leave Lyon [so] had some conversations here with some people, but unfortunately things didn’t work out

Silva also revealed the thinking behind Chelsea’s transfer moves, saying they figured out that the need for a striker and a defender is greater than that of a midfielder.

With the transfer window done and dusted just like Paqueta’s move to West Ham, it is time to resume the business on the field for the Blues.

With only seven points from the first five league games, the pressure is on Silva and co. to start producing consistent results on the pitch, with the help of their manager.

Ironically, their next game is against West Ham at Stamford Bridge this weekend. Although the Hammers are coming into this game with a draw against high-flying Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea should start as favourites because they are at home.

More Chelsea News:

• Chelsea set to miss out on Wilfried Zaha, Anthony Gordon and Arsen Zakharyan
• Tottenham Hotspur have entered the running to sign Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech
• Transfer News: Chelsea are linked with Ibrahim Sangare

Winning this game would be important for the momentum ahead of the first Champions League game this away at Dinamo Zagreb. It also would impart confidence and belief to hopefully put up a string of wins together to climb up the table.