‘I taught him “man on” or “switch play” – things you need on the pitch’: Jorginho has been helping Thiago Silva with the language barrier at Chelsea… but admits he might not be the best teacher because ‘my English isn’t that great’
- Chelsea swooped for Thiago Silva in the summer after the defender left PSG
- The veteran Brazil international adds some much needed steel to Chelsea’s side
- But the 36-year-old does not speak English, so Jorginho has been helping him
Jorginho has taken on an additional role in the Chelsea dressing room by helping Thiago Silva learn key footballing phrases in the English language.
Frank Lampard swooped for the veteran defender after he left French giants Paris Saint-Germain upon his contract expiring in the summer.
The 36-year-old former Brazil international doesn’t speak English yet but Brazilian-born Italy midfielder Jorginho has been doing what he can to ensure his new team-mate settles as quickly as possible.
Jorginho said he is doing what he can to help Thiago Silva settle quickly in the Chelsea side
The 36-year-old veteran defender signed for Chelsea this summer after leaving PSG
Jorginho has revealed that he has taught Silva some key footballing phrases in English
‘I have taught him “man on”, “turn” or if he is on the other side, “switch play”,’ Jorginho said, according to The Sun. ‘Things that you need on the pitch. “Man on”, “drop” or “up”.
‘We try to help each other. That’s what you do on and off the pitch. He is happy here. He is a big personality, a big player with lots of experience. He is helping all of us as a group, the younger players, everyone.’
And Jorginho said that despite not having a grasp of the English language, Thiago can still get his points across on the pitch or in training sessions.
‘He finds a way to communicate, whether it is with his hands or he speaks to me and I give the information to the other guys. We find a way.
‘When he has some questions or some doubts he asks me and I try to help him if I can, because my English is not that great.’
Chelsea have endured an inconsistent start to the season after Lampard splashed the cash to bring in an array of attacking talent in the summer, including Timo Werner and Kai Havertz.
Jorginho says that Silva still finds a way to communicate with his team-mates on the pitch
Silva’s presence at Chelsea adds some much needed experience to their defensive ranks
They are eighth in the Premier League table after five games and drew 3-3 at home to Southampton at the weekend after twice throwing away a lead.
Their back line was at least more solid when they kicked off their Champions League campaign on Tuesday night but they were held to a 0-0 draw at Stamford Bridge by Sevilla.
Silva started that match alongside new No 1 Edouard Mendy, who was returning after a brief injury lay off.
With Silva’s English steadily improving and Mendy settling into the team as well, Chelsea fans will hope the defence hardens up before too long.
They are next in action on Saturday in a crunch clash against Manchester United at Old Trafford.