Chelsea legend Joe Cole has identified why Thiago Silva could be the signing of the season for Frank Lampard’s side after his arrival this summer.

The former PSG star played his part as Chelsea kept a first clean sheet of the season against Crystal Palace, with the Brazilian performing well alongside Kurt Zouma in the Blues defence at Stamford Bridge.

The 4-0 win against Palace was only his second Premier League appearance for Chelsea, after making his debut in the 3-3 draw with West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns last weekend.

The Blues have been by far the biggest spenders in the Premier League this season, splashing in excess of £200m to rejuvenate the side.

While Thiago Silva isn’t the addition that may jump out from their plethora of additions, Cole believes he could be an invaluable addition.

“Thiago Silva is a fantastic signing,” he told BT Sport as cited by football.london.

“One thing we all talked about with Chelsea last year was the quality of the youngsters, the energy, but there were times in the season when there was a little bit of naivety in the back four.

“Thiago coming in, you look around Europe and there isn’t a better veteran centre-back, someone who can come in and not only perform, his job will be to help the players around him on the pitch and off the pitch by setting the tone of what winning is all about.

“I think Thiago Silva, as soon as he settles, could be the signing of the season for Chelsea.”