Thiago Silva Talks Anthony Martial, Paul Pogba, Manchester Clubs and More

Paris Saint-Germain defender Thiago Silva has criticised the amount paid by Manchester United to sign Anthony Martial from Monaco, branding the £36 million deal as "on the edge of madness."  

Speaking with Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Luke Gardener of the Daily Star), the Brazil star discussed Martial’s move from Ligue 1 to the Premier League and didn’t hold back in his assessment of the money. Although he did admit the new United No. 9 was a little reminiscent of a young Thierry Henry: “Are the fees too much? On the edge of madness. I don't know whether it is right or not but Martial really reminds me of Thierry Henry for his technique, physique and reading of the game.”

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As we can see here, courtesy of Sky Sports Football, the deal for Martial makes him the most expensive teenage player ever, ahead of some illustrious names—two of which were signed by PSG:

Silva also discussed another young French superstar, Paul Pogba. As noted by Gardener’s piece, there were "reports in Brazil" that PSG had made a staggering €150 million bid for the Juventus superstar, and Silva thinks that although the midfielder is a supreme talent, he has some improving to do.

“I consider him a great player even if he has to improve on the defensive side,” he said to Gazzetta dello Sport. “But if everyone wanted him this summer, it tells you he is an outstanding player.”

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Going far in the Champions League would be one way to make the Parisians stand out from the rest of the sides in the hunt for the 22-year-old. Last season, the French champions were hugely impressive to dump out Chelsea in the last 16, but they ran into a rampant Barcelona team in the quarter-finals and were subsequently eliminated.

This year, Silva thinks his side are capable of going far, but he made a point that both United and Manchester City stand a great chance, along with the usual contenders, per Gazzetta dello Sport: “For the Champions League, I reckon it can be our year. And then Real, Barca, Bayern but also keep an eye on City and United, against whom I always lost when I was at Milan.”

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Taking that final step in European competition is key for PSG. After signing Angel Di Maria from United this summer, the club look better placed than ever to make a run at the Champions League, especially given the core of this squad—of which Silva is arguably the most critical piece—has now been together for a long time.

After splashing big money this summer, the Red Devils and their local neighbours will be a serious threat to the European juggernauts Silva mentioned. But any criticism comes across a little hypocritical as there are plenty who will point to PSG’s rapacious purchases over the last few seasons, leaving the Premier League sides with no choice but to spend in order to bridge the gap.