Silva says PSG made mistakes in quest for European glory

Chelsea defender Thiago Silva has discussed the regrets he holds from his eight seasons at Paris Saint-Germain.

Silva, 39, won seven Ligue 1 titles in the French capital but was unable to bring Champions League success to the Parc des Princes.

The Brazilian skippered PSG to the final in 2020 before a Kingsley Coman goal shattered their dreams.

He went on to be crowned continental champion with Chelsea the following year and admits there were failings in the Qatari-owned club's approach.

Silva told The Guardian: "Nothing happens overnight.

"You're not going to achieve everything just because you have a lot of money. That is not how football works.

"If you don't have a clear plan of what you want, things won't work out. First and foremost, you have to be respected inside your country in order to be respected outside.

"We didn't do that. We did the opposite. We wanted to be loved abroad but we didn't do anything to be respected at home."

Silva remains a key man at Stamford Bridge having started all 10 of the Blues' Premier League fixtures this term.

He has thanked former manager Frank Lampard for bringing him to the English top flight and is also enjoying working under his Argentine boss Mauricio Pochettino.

Speaking ahead of a trip to London rivals Tottenham on Monday night, he added: "If I'm here today, happy, and the fans like me, it's all thanks to the legendary Frank Lampard.

"Pochettino has helped me a lot with my fitness. Not that I was complacent but I was in my comfort zone.

"It looks like everything is fine and it feels fine but he managed to get me out of that area."