{"id":7006,"date":"2026-10-06T17:45:36","date_gmt":"2026-10-06T17:45:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=7006"},"modified":"2026-10-06T17:45:36","modified_gmt":"2026-10-06T17:45:36","slug":"toni-kroos-reckons-defender-chelsea-released-was-even-better-than-virgil-van-dijk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=7006","title":{"rendered":"Toni Kroos reckons defender Chelsea released was even better than Virgil van Dijk"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\"\"\/ Add to Preferred Sources<\/span> <\/a> <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Toni Kroos is likely to ruffle some feathers after including one former Chelsea star in his list of top five defenders in the 21st century instead of Virgil van Dijk.<\/strong><\/p>\n

For some, Van Dijk is the greatest centre-half in Premier League history. That can be debated, but there is no doubt that he is one of the finest defenders the game has ever seen.<\/p>\n

\n

With that being said, it looks like Kroos would still take one ex-Blue over the Liverpool captain.<\/p>\n

Toni Kroos names Thiago Silva in top three defenders of 21st century<\/h2>\n

Chelsea<\/a> have had some fine centre-halves themselves, including John Terry and Thiago Silva<\/a>. Robin van Persie recently discussed Terry and Silva<\/a>, claiming that they are two of the toughest opponents he has ever faced.<\/p>\n

Kroos also appears to be a big fan of the latter. When asked to name his top five defenders of the 21st century, the German included Silva but snubbed Van Dijk.<\/p>\n

Speaking on Luppen TV<\/a>, he said: \u201cAt number three, I have Thiago Silva\u2026 for me, he was a machine. He was also really composed in possession.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n
\n
<\/header>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

You can have TWO Man City players, who are you picking and why? \ud83d\udc40<\/h3>\n

Imagine if Man City actually get relegated \ud83d\ude33<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\n
\n
\"\"<\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n

Silva joined Chelsea late in his career but was still a hugely successful signing for the Blues. In total, he made 155 appearances before being released by the club in 2024.<\/p>\n

During his time in west London, the Brazilian won the Champions League, Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup. <\/p>\n

Chelsea still haven\u2019t replaced Thiago Silva<\/h2>\n

Chelsea let Silva go at the end of the 2023\/24 season. There have been five transfer windows since then and the Blues are yet to successfully replace him.<\/p>\n

They have brought in other central defenders like Jorrel Hato and Maxence Lacroix. However, there is not a single defender in that backline who is as dominant, commanding and influential as Silva.<\/p>\n

It is no wonder that Chelsea are conceding so many goals and have not kept a clean sheet in the Premier League since the start of the year. They had quite a productive transfer window in the summer, but it is clear that there are still plenty of things this Chelsea side need.<\/p>\n

Chelsea could try to sign Jacobo Ramon<\/a> from Como in January, and while the Spaniard is a good defender with a high ceiling, he is simply not on Silva\u2019s level yet.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
<\/svg><\/p>\n
Join Our Newsletter<\/span><\/p>\n

Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\"\"\/ Add to Preferred Sources<\/span> <\/a> <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n