Silva backs PSG to go all the way
Brazil's Thiago Silva believes that Paris Saint-Germain can go further than his previous clubs AC Milan or Porto, he told Le Parisien newspaper in an interview published on Tuesday.
Big-spending PSG travel to Porto for a Champions League Group A match on Wednesday, where record-signing Silva said the French club must start to prove their potential.
"On paper PSG are already one of the best sides (in Europe), we just have to start proving that," said the 46-million-euro (£37 million, $59 million) close-season signing.
"AC Milan were a really strong side but PSG can go even further," said the 28-year-old central defender.
Silva, who scored on his debut for the French club in the 4-1 demolition of Dynamo Kiev in this season's Champions League opener, also insists that the hefty price-tag is no problem.
"I'm really proud of the fact that I'm France's most expensive player. It increases my responsibilities here and I have to deliver results," he said.
"It was a difficult decision to join PSG but their ambition ended up convincing me.
"The fact that (coach Carlo) Ancelotti and (director of football) Leonardo (both formerly of AC Milan) are here also played a role in that decision. Without them I'd likely have stayed in Italy," he said.
Silva revealed that the only problem he has fitting in at the French club for the moment is the language.
"I was with Brazil years ago and some (French) pals of Ronaldinho came to see him. After listening to him chat in French, it sounded so complicated and I asked him how he managed. Well, now it's my turn all these years later to take French classes.
"I hope to learn quickly, it's really important," he added, admitting that for now he was happier playing alongside Brazilian clubmate Alex than French international defender Mamadou Sakho.
