Ghanaian forward Jordan Ayew has singled out former Brazil and Chelsea star Thiago Silva as the toughest defender he has ever played against.
The Black Stars attacker faced Silva multiple times during his time at Crystal Palace and acknowledged the Brazilian’s intelligence and defensive awareness made him an incredibly difficult opponent.
Despite ongoing comparisons between Silva and Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk, Ayew firmly believes the Brazilian stands out.
“Thiago Silva is so smart and so difficult to play against. I played against him during my spell with Crystal Palace. He thinks ahead and anticipates so well. He’s never too close to you, but he is sharp as well. To be fair, people say Van Dijk, but for me, Silva is the toughest opponent I have faced,” Ayew said.
The Ghanaian forward ended his seven-year stay at Crystal Palace last summer, making the switch to fellow Premier League side Leicester City.
Meanwhile, Thiago Silva returned to his homeland to join Brazilian giants Fluminense after leaving Chelsea at the end of last season.
