There is a convincing argument David Silva may be Manchester City’s most important player of all time, so his imminent departure is uniformly met with sadness.
Manchester City could barely have hoped for the 10 years of service they have received from David Silva since his largely unheralded arrival back in July 2010. Since then his contribution to each of the title winning City teams has been immense.
Silva has an impressive array of stats – a career total of 689 club games to date with 117 goals. An international career between 2006 and 2018 of 125 games and 35 goals for Spain.
His Manchester City career began a lifetime ago and Silva was one of the architects who helped lift the club from dreamers to challengers. He joined as a World Cup winner with Spain and since has added a complete array of domestic English trophies.
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That trophy cabinet of David Silva is missing just the Champions League medal and it would be a fairytale if he achieved that before moving on. However, there are real obstacles in the way of that – and Silva may have just one game left for City.
Silva’s contract expires on 24 August 2020 – which is in a little over 2 weeks.
His pending departure has been greeted with sadness not just because of his contribution on the pitch but how entwined his identity has become with City, not least through the tribulations which greeted the premature birth of his son.
Silva is a player of almost unique talent. His almost flightless ability to move the ball into space as he operates between the defensive lines. His lightening quick turn and his ability to conjure chances from thin air.
As age has caught up with his legs, his game has altered. Less marauding but no less able to control a game and dictate the tempo.
The rest after the Leagues were paused by pandemic almost seemed to reinvigorate his performances on the pitch, and Silva showed there is not only life in the old dog, but an ability to still perform at the highest level.
In fact his 2019/20 statistics are impressive for anyone, let alone a 34 year old. He has so far played 38 games, scoring 6 goals and gaining 11 assists.
Originally it was thought he would seek a gentler opportunity after City in which to play out his final years. Like his friend Iniesta in Japan, or maybe the bright lights of US Major League.
However, he has been courted since by some big European clubs in the hope of luring him to their projects. Spanish clubs have beckoned – Valencia have called and whilst there is an attractive resolution to be had there, other projects seem to be more exciting.
Media reports suggest that Italian club Lazio have made an approach and are now in the final stages of negotiating a deal. Of course there is a health warning with any reports from Italian press as their accuracy can be questionable at times!
However, from the sources there is the suggestion that Lazio have put together a package for Silva, which although sees a significant reduction in his City wages, offers a variety of other things.
Italian papers report Silva has been offered £52k a week at Lazio on a 2 year deal, with a third optional year if certain commitments are met. The deal includes a luxury Rome home and a private jet to travel to his family in Spain.
The suggestion is that the wages remain the sticking point – he is rumoured to earn around £220k a week at City- and importantly negotiations appear to be ongoing.
Right now we wish Silva all the best for the future. Indeed, we hope he still has another 3 games left for City!
For Manchester City fans resigned to him moving on at least he will remain in blue!