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PSG vs Chelsea: 'Eden Hazard is not just good - he is very good,' says skipper Thiago Silva ahead of Champions League clash

Hazard had been linked with a move to PSG before signing a new contract

Tom Sheen
Monday 16 February 2015 12:33 GMT
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Paris Saint-Germain captain Thiago Silva has hailed Chelsea star Eden Hazard ahead of their meeting in the Champions League last-16 on Tuesday night in France.

The Belgian winger, 24, has long been linked with a move to PSG but signed a new deal that will keep him at Stamford Bridge until 2020 last week.

However, despite Hazard also saying he was never interested in a move to the French capital, Brazil centre-back Thiago Silva has said that that the winger would have been "very welcome" in Paris.

Hazard signed a new contract at Chelsea last week

"All their players are very accomplished, but I believe the Brazilians always make the difference, plus Hazard," Silva said when asked by Nissan who were Chelsea's main threats.

"[Hazard] is not just good, he is very good!! If he really comes, he will be very welcome."

Silva also said Hazard had been one of the best players in the tournament so far.

PSG head into Tuesday's game at the Parc des Princes in good form, unbeaten in nine matches since a surprise loss to Bastia just over a month ago.

Silva said the aim for the club this season is to "reach the final" and that they have learnt a lot from last season's clash with the Blues. PSG won the first leg in Paris 3-1 but Demba Ba scored a late goal at Stamford Bridge to send Chelsea through on away goals.

"We learn a lot from all defeats; one important thing to always remember is that until the referee stops, the match is not done yet. In the last match [against Chelsea] we thought our team was already qualified."

Thiago Silva was speaking to Nissan, the official automotive sponsor of the UEFA Champions League, as part of his role as the car manufacturer’s global ambassador.

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