Chelsea defender Thiago Silva has compared the three leagues he has featured prominently in his football career: Ligue 1, Serie A and Premier League.

The Brazilian veteran joined the west London on free transfer from PSG during the summer despite being offered fresh contract at the Ligue 1 giants

Silva was asked how English football compares to Ligue 1 and Serie A, where he played for Milan.

The defender said: “They are three very different football schools.

“I have had a great learning experience in Italy, one of the best schools for the back line and defensive phase.

“I also had great companions in my early days like [Paolo] Maldini and [Alessandro] Nesta, with whom I played for two years, so I was able to learn a lot from them.

“The French championship is a little more physical, stronger and now PSG has a dominance over the opponents and we had to risk a little more.

“And now in the English championship, the last two games I ended up with a lot of headaches because there are aerial plays at all times and, with a very high pace of play, it is very different from the other two leagues.

“I have learned from all that and I put it into practice to help the younger players.”