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Manchester City on this day: International debuts

By Jason Bardwell

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 20: David Silva and Micah Richards of Manchester City close down Karl Hawley of Notts County during the FA Cup sponsored by E.On 4th Round replay match between Manchester City and Notts County at City of Manchester Stadium on February 20, 2011 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 20: David Silva and Micah Richards of Manchester City close down Karl Hawley of Notts County during the FA Cup sponsored by E.On 4th Round replay match between Manchester City and Notts County at City of Manchester Stadium on February 20, 2011 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) /
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Over the next couple of days, Manchester City players will return to the Etihad. After an International break consisting of, mostly, friendly fixtures, the hope is that everyone comes back in pretty much the same way they left.

It was eleven years ago today that two Manchester City legends made their International debuts. One was at City when he won his first cap, the other would arrive in Manchester a few years later.

MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM – FEBRUARY 07: Steven Gerrard of England battles for the ball with David Silva of Spain during the International Friendly match between England and Spain at Old Trafford on February 7, 2007 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM – FEBRUARY 07: Steven Gerrard of England battles for the ball with David Silva of Spain during the International Friendly match between England and Spain at Old Trafford on February 7, 2007 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) /

David Silva, our very own Merlin, made his International debut for Spain in 2006 against Romania. The Spaniards lost that game 1-0, but continued to feature in the National set up. Scoring his first two goals against Greece in the following year, he hasn’t looked back.

A few months after his debut in that defeat, he faced England in Manchester. Funnily enough though the other Manchester City linked debut was in the opposing squad that day. He came off the bench at the exact same time as David Silva was leaving the field of play.

The other Manchester City linked player to make his debut on this day in 2006 was, of course, Micah Richards.

His International career never amounted to what maybe it should have. Behind Gary Neville at right-back, he was never gonna be the ‘popular’ choice. That was the one thing Steve McClaren did well while England manager, choosing to play Micah almost a dozen times.

When Fabio Capello came on the scene, Micah faded away. After Capello resigned Micah said this to the British press of his time under Capello:

"To be frozen out of your international side is hard to take sometimes.Everyone wants to play for their international team, especially when you’re playing in a team that’s doing so well. I didn’t get a chance under Capello. I don’t know why. I always asked the question, but I never got answer."

LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 30: Joe Hart, Micah Richards and Joleon Lescott look on during the England training session ahead of their UEFA EURO 2012 Group G qualifier against Bulgaria at London Colney on August 30, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 30: Joe Hart, Micah Richards and Joleon Lescott look on during the England training session ahead of their UEFA EURO 2012 Group G qualifier against Bulgaria at London Colney on August 30, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /

Micah did get a recall when Stuart Pearce took charge on a temporary basis but was dropped again when Roy Hodgson took over and his final England game came in 2012.

Leaving the National side after six years, thirteen appearances and a solitary goal, one more than the guy Roy chose to replace him, Phil Jones.

At the other side of teh spectrum, we all know where David Silva’s International career has taken him. Now, way over 100 caps, the man is a regular for one of the best sides in the World, certainly in Europe. A World Cup winner and twice Euro winner, it can be described as nothing other than a success.

Although the two merely passed by each other while playing for their National sides in Manchester that February 7th 2007. They would eventually be on the same pitch and in the same colors, if only for a few seasons.

David Silva joined Micah in 2010 winning the FA Cup and a Premier League. Micah had been put out on loan and didn’t have enough appearances to pick up a winner’s medal for the second Premier League victory. Although I do seem to remember Vinny calling him, and a couple of others to the stage to join in the celebrations, which was a nice touch.

Now, Micah finds himself at Aston Villa. It would be fantastic to see him come back to the Premier League to appear in front of the City faithful again. Aged 29, he still has a lot more football left in him you would expect.