I wish we could've signed Chelsea defender Thiago Silva: Rennes boss Julien Stephan

Rennes coach Julien Stephan has paid tribute to Chelsea defender Thiago Silva.

Rennes meet Chelsea in the Champions League tonight.

And Stephan said of former PSG captain Thiago Silva: "He is a complete and exceptional player. It's unfortunate not to have him in the French league anymore, but I think the Premier League has recovered a very, very high-level defender.

"I would have liked to have had him with us but it is not calibrated for clubs like ours but for clubs of a higher level.

"This year he is also in a great team with great ambitions and which is making a fantastic start to the championship after a very large recruitment."