In the latest instalment of our Flashback series, Football Transfer Tavern take a look back at a certain moment in a club’s history, to see what conclusions can be drawn or lessons learnt.
One of the most technically gifted midfielders of a generation given his extensive trophy haul, David Silva, who is in his final year at Manchester City following a terrific nine years of service at the club, may go down in history as one of the best midfielders the Premier League has ever witnessed, with Graeme Souness suggesting (Sky Sports, via This is Futbol) back in January that he could be the league’s greatest ever player.
Silva will go down as arguably Manchester City’s best ever midfielder too, with former team-mate Alvaro Negredo saying as much when speaking to the National in May. Now, recent links from Calciomercato have suggested that he could join David Beckham’s new MLS side, Inter Miami, next season.
So, with those links in mind, now seems like a good time to analyse what the former Valencia man has done in England since arriving in 2010.
Silva has won pretty much all there is to win on these shores, barring the Champions League, which he’ll be hoping to add to the collection in his final hoorah for the Cityzens this time out. Four Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four EFL Cups and two Community Shields, (via Transfermarkt) is a hugely impressive haul from almost ten years of football at one club.
This season alone, despite the club continually bringing in new, top-class recruits in his position, Silva remains a pivotal member of the project at the Etihad. He is still regarded as one of the best midfielders in the business as spoke about on Match of the Day recently, even at the age of 33, and it’s clear to understand why. Four assists and a goal in his opening six Premier League appearances this term prove that the Spanish World Cup winner is still more than capable to perform on the world’s biggest stage.
With compatriot Pep Guardiola taking City to new levels during his stint at the club – with the improvement of Raheem Sterling the most obvious example of that – it’s important to remember that the midfielder had won every trophy in England at least once prior to his arrival. Even before the former Barcelona coach left his mark in the Premier League, Silva had bagged 43 goals and recorded a further 90 assists (per Transfermarkt) in English football.
On Saturday, Silva was on the scoresheet as Manchester City taught Watford a footballing lesson, thumping the Hornets 8-0 on home soil, proving his worth. The end is seemingly near for him in the Premier League after arriving in 2010 but what a journey it has been either side of the Pep Guardiola era.
Man City fans, how much are you going to miss this man when he leaves? Let us know in the comments!
