GOAL

Javier Pastore has been better than Zlatan Ibrahimovic this season, according to Paris Saint-Germain captain Thiago Silva.

The Brazilian says the midfielder has been the league's standout performer in 2014-15 - but is eager to welcome back the Sweden star against Nantes.

The 25-year-old has scored five goals and notched 13 assists in 30 Ligue 1 matches, helping the champions to maintain their pace at the top of the table alongside Lyon.

And Thiago Silva believes the Argentine has been the standout star of the French top flight in 2014-15 - even better than team-mate Ibrahimovic or top scorer Alexandre Lacazette.

"Pastore has had his best season with PSG. He's the best player in the championship. For me, even better than Lacazette," the Brazil international told Le Parisien.

"Look at the number of assists he has had. He is the most important guy at PSG. Even more than Zlatan? Yes, because it is Pastore who gives Zlatan the ball!"

PSG saw off Metz 3-1 on Tuesday to maintain their three-point lead over Lyon at the top of the Ligue 1 table and while Thiago Silva was delighted with the display in the absence of Ibrahimovic, he is looking forward to the Swede's return from suspension against Nantes.

"We deserved to win the match," said the defender. "Even without Zlatan, we scored three goals. I really feel everything is going well.

"I'm very confident ahead of Nantes on Sunday. Plus we'll have Zlatan with us. That means we can score even more goals."