Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer blown away by Chelsea star after FA Cup win

Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer and Jonathan Woodgate were practically mesmerised by Thiago Silva after the veteran defender helped Chelsea beat Middlesbrough in the FA Cup.

The Blues booked their place in the FA Cup semi-finals with a routine 2-0 win at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday.

Romelu Lukaku and Hakim Ziyech both scored first-half goals for Thomas Tuchel’s side but Lineker, Shearer and Woodgate reserved a large majority of their praise for Silva.

Silva has been a mainstay in Chelsea’s team over the past two seasons, helping the west London club win the Champions League, Super Cup and Club World Cup since his move from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2020.

Former England striker Lineker joked that Silva, 37, could play well into his 50s while Woodgate said he felt ‘lucky’ to watch the Brazilian live after he cruised through the FA Cup tie at Boro.

Premier League legend Shearer, meanwhile, said ‘class act’ Silva is ‘two or three seconds ahead of everyone’ else on the pitch.

Chelsea became the first team to qualify for the FA Cup semi-finals this weekend, with Manchester City, Liverpool, Southampton, Crystal Palace, Everton and Nottingham Forest looking to join the Blues in the draw.

Gary Lineker: ‘Thiago Silva was given Man of the Match, he makes the game look so easy. The way he plays, he could play until he’s 58!’

Jonathan Woodgate: ‘He had a pair of slippers on he was that good. He’s so focused, so calm on the ball, intercepts, reads the game. It was an outstanding performance. I feel lucky to watch him live, 37 years old, still playing. He played on Wednesday night and he’s just played again today! He’s magnificent. Doesn’t give the ball away.’

Alan Shearer: ‘We say Mason Mount is two or three seconds ahead