Chelsea hero Joe Cole has already been won over by new signing Thiago Silva.

While the Blues have brought in a wealth of attacking talent including Timo Werner, Kai Havertz and Hakim Ziyech, the former Stamford Bridge favourite believes the experienced Brazilian defender offers the greatest benefit to Frank Lampard's youthful side.

"Thiago Silva is a fantastic signing,"said Cole.

"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."