MANCHESTER CITY’S fans call him Merlin and David Silva will do a disappearing act this summer.
And the big shame is that nobody will be there to see one of the true Premier League greats bow out.
David Silva will bow quietly at the end of the season, having been hailed by ex-City No 2 Mikel Arteta as the finest Prem importCredit: AP:Associated Press
Boss Pep Guardiola says David Silva already being at Man City was one reason he agreed to take the jobCredit: Reuters
Yesterday should have been a day for the Spanish wizard to remember for the rest of his life.
His final home game in a City shirt after ten glittering and unforgettable years — and a chance for the club to say thank you and goodbye.
City have got it spot on with their classy tributes to other icons such as Pablo Zabaleta, Yaya Toure, Vincent Kompany and Joe Hart in recent years.
Yet as things stand, Silva will most likely finish in front of a deserted stadium somewhere in a few months’ time.
Given the fact he has always kept his head down and rarely done any media throughout his decade in England, it is tempting to think he would not want a fuss.
Yet those who know him well — such as City’s legendary former kitman Les Chapman — believe he would have loved a big send-off.
Chapman, a former manager of Preston and Stockport, said: “He’s not a guy who goes looking for the limelight but a proper goodbye would have been something he would have relished.
“For him to feel the love the City fans have for him would have been something incredible. The guy is an absolute genius.
It’s a tragedy he didn’t get the send-off from the Etihad that he deserved — and that the fans won’t get the chance to see him one last time.
Ex-Man City kitman Les Chapman
“It’s a tragedy he didn’t get the send-off from the Etihad that he deserved — and that the fans won’t get the chance to see him one last time.”
If only they had known when he was subbed in the 85th minute of a routine win over West Ham in mid-February that it would be the last time they saw him at the Etihad . . .
He did lift the Carabao Cup in front of a full house at Wembley a couple of weeks later — and could yet pick up more silverware.
But he was just the kind of player you loved to watch.
Before each game he asks for his boots to be warmed up — either with a steamer or a hairdryer — before weaving his magic with them.
At 34, his powers may be waning but what a piece of business he has proved to be since joining from Valencia for £25million ten years ago.
Those who have worked with him closely — such as Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta — know how good he is.
The ex-Etihad coach told the authors of Pep’s City — the Making of a Superteam: “Of all the greats who have come to the English game, he’s the best.
Playmaker David Silva has been a shining light at the Etihad for ten yearsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Spaniard David Silva and his Man City team-mates are slowly being eased back into training for a Premier League returnCredit: Getty Images – Getty
“People don’t always get how rare it is for a midfielder to create space like that.”
Club ambassador Mike Summerbee, a City legend himself back in the 60s, added: “He’s one of the best I’ve seen in my life.
“He has an excellent football brain, interprets matches perfectly and does everything with such style.”
A recent documentary on Silva by City TV revealed his old boss at Eibar, Jose Luis Mendilibar, had described him as ‘a bit of a b*****d’.
City boss Pep Guardiola said: “That definition is perfect for him. You can tell he learnt his football on the street, like he’s threatening, ‘There’ll only be one winner here’.
“David has that in him and you don’t realise it until you get to know him.
“One of the reasons why I decided to come here, to City, is because I was pleased to be with him, to train him.
“When he was with Valencia, I was at Barcelona and I thought, ‘Wow! That guy is special’.”
When you consider the players Pep has worked with, there can be no higher praise.
City are lucky to have had Merlin’s magic for so long — and they know it.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
