Manchester City say goodbye to club legend David Silva
After ten years at the club, Manchester City legend David Silva will depart the blues at the end of season, having won eleven major trophies and making over 400 appearances in all competitions.
After ten years, eleven major trophies, and 400 appearances, Manchester City legend David Silva is leaving the Etihad.
The Spanish midfielder has managed to win an impressive four Premier League titles, two FA Cups and five EFL trophies.
It remains to be seen, however, whether he will leave the club with a Champions League winner’s medal in his hand, the only major honour missing from his time at the club.
It would certainly be the best going away present for the Spanish international, who also has two wins at the European Championships and a World Cup to his name.
Such success is above and beyond what Silva ever thought he would enjoy in his career:
“When I look back at everything, I could never in my wildest dreams have imagined what I would achieve,” Silva said.
“When you are young, you don’t dream about all of this.
“You dream about becoming a footballer, a professional footballer, you dream of playing in the top flight – but you never think about all the things that you could possibly achieve.”
While it may seem a distant memory in the face of all that he has achieved in Manchester, David Silva’s transfer to the Citizens was largely down to the financial troubles of his former club, Valencia.
“Why did I leave Valencia? Because the club needed me to,” Silva admitted, not long after he joined City.
“I was happy there and wouldn’t have left, but the situation the club was in demanded it.”
In the end, the Spanish club in the end accepted a bid of £25m for Silva.
Given his success in the last ten years, this seems like a a bargain price, but even in 2010 it was a massive steal for City.
Pep Guardiola has called Silva “one of the best” players he has ever known. And this is coming from a man who has worked with too many world-beaters to count.
Premier League players, both past and present, have also sung the praises of the little midfielder known as El Mago (the magician).
Jamie Carragher, back in 2017, called Silva City’s “best ever player” and Alan Shearer put the Spaniard in the same bracket as “Thierry Henry at Arsenal, Manchester United’s Eric Cantona or Silva’s Manchester City teammate Sergio Aguero”.
Peculiarly, despite these plaudits, Silva has, surprisingly, received few individual awards during his time at City.
The 34-year-old has won only one Premier League Player of the Month award and has appeared in the League’s team of the season only twice.
For the fans, some believe the Spanish maestro is destined to remain dwarfed by the likes of modern City legends such as Kompany and Aguero.
The founder of CityXtra, Freddie Pye, told The Manc that Silva “will always be in the shadow of the likes of Kompany, Aguero, and Yaya Toure in the eyes of other football fans, purely down to these players having scored goals that ultimately won trophies.”
Freddie believes that when it comes to standout moments for Silva, it is not about goals.
“City fans will fondly remember the assists, the moments of magic, the gliding across the surface effortlessly,” he argued.
There have been many of them.
Silva’s sumptuous through ball to Edin Dzeko set up City’s sixth goal in their famous 6-1 thrashing of United at Old Trafford; voted one of his best moments at the club.
Another fond memory was his assist against Wigan back in 2011, where he managed to bypass three opposition players with ease to slide a perfect ball through to Aguero to bag his hat-trick.
And, of course, who could forget Kompany’s winning header against United back in April of the 11/12 season? A goal, which effectively won the blues their first Premier League title, came from a Silva corner.
Despite the standout moments, many recognise Silva’s biggest contribution to the team was his consistency and his ability to control a match despite having played under different systems, under three different managers (Roberto Mancini, Manuel Pellegrini and Pep Guardiola).
Supporters are also passionate about making sure Silva’s contributions to club are recognised. Some are asking for statue of Silva to be placed outside of the Etihad, with a petition set up in aid of this mission close to 1000 signatures.
"I'll miss everything – even the weather!" ☔
After an emotional farewell to the Premier League, David Silva speaks to Sky Sports…
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) July 26, 2020
It is unclear what the future holds for the Spanish star.
But, for now, Silva is only thinking about the Champions League.
What a way to go out…
Sport
Rising Mancunian MMA star Lewis McGrillen set to take part in PFL Champions Series
Danny Jones
Rising Manchester MMA fighter, Lewis McGrillen, is topping off a breakout 12 months with a big booking in the Middle East, as he is set to feature in the Professional Fighters League’s (PFL) latest ‘Champions Series’ over in the UAE.
Continuing an incredible and seminal campaign, the Wythenshawe-born and raised bantamweight, who became the champion of his division back in December, is set to feature in the next edition of the PFL Champion series later this year.
As a fast-growing Mancunian sportsman, he’s got plenty of backing here at home, but his larger-than-life personality has also seen him become a charismatic figure in the world of MMA overall.
With the likes of Wigan’s Tom Aspinall now the unified heavyweight champion and Manc UFC fighter Lerone Murphy calling for his own title shot, Greater Manchester is having a truly great moment within the discipline.
But in terms of characters, for our money at the minute, there are arguably few more compelling characters in mixed martial arts than McGrillen-Evan (to use his full name) besides Liverpool favourite Paddy ‘The Baddy’ Pimblett.
All hail the golden era of North West knockout stars.
The resurgence of not just high-potential but increasingly successful fighters in the region has not only seen an added interest in the fight game, but the city is attracting even more events of late, too.
Having made the step up from flyweight to compete amongst the bantams, Lewis ‘The McGrizzla’ McGrillen – we’ll never not chuckle at that nickname – is quickly going from one of the PFL’s best prospects to among the most exciting names in MMA full stop.
With 13 professional fights under his belt, a dozen of those being wins and 10 of them being by TKO, he’s past being considered merely ‘one to watch’ if you ask us.
A product of the notorious Manchester Top Team, led by the likes of aforementioned ‘Miracle ‘Murphy and fellow native Kane Mousah, the bantamweight champ will be looking to make an even bigger name for himself on the PFL’s global stage this autumn.
McGrillen is due to tussle with County Tyrone’s Caolan Loughran, 29, in the Dubai bout on Friday, 3 October, and we’re backing him to make a big splash.
You only watch the likes of his match against Dean Garnett, one that was dubbed “the fight of the year”, and you’ll understand why…
Nevertheless, his opponent had a lot of his own choice words to say following plenty of big talk from a very confident Lewis. Who are you backing to come out on top, fight fans?
🗣️ "He has been in my DMs. The other night he said I am getting smashed. He is an aggressive kid, which favours him at a certain level, but I think it will hinder him at this level."
Featured Images — Supplied/Stillryan (screenshot via YouTube)
Sport
Drama Call drop latest limited edition Manchester United collection
Danny Jones
Viral Manchester streetwear brand Drama Call has finally revealed its latest limited edition Man United collection, and it’s gone down an instant hit with fashionistas and football fans alike.
Better yet, they’re hosting a special pop-up store right outside Old Trafford, so expect massive queues.
Led by a special white jersey inspired by United‘s 1991 anniversary away shirt, the extremely anticipated release is the third they’ve done in tandem with the club, with the Manc company’s reputation having grown significantly over the years.
Now worn by stars such as Aitch, who models as the cover star of the campaign, these drops see hundreds, if not thousands, flock to get their hands on the casualwear – and this newest batch is set to be no different.
As you can see, while the new Drama Call x Man United collection would no doubt sell out online, the local label sticks to keeping the buzz with in-person pop-ups and often surprise locations in and around Greater Manchester.
In this instance, the usual crowds that surround the Drama Call van will be gathering right outside the official Manchester United Megastore for one day only this week.
Oh, and in case you didn’t already guess, it’s first-come, first-served and yes, you have to be very quick.
Besides the twist on the classic and already highly collectable kit design, the collection features a retro ’90s style track jacket, black pullover hoody, and two Drama Call stamped MUFC t-shirts – one black, one white and both with the iconic striped Adidas sleeves.
This isn’t the only big crossover they’ve unveiled in 2025, either, having teamed up with Adidas earlier this year for a very cool sneaker drop.
Big queues of 'sneakerheads' are expected in Manchester city centre tomorrow as a local fashion brand has teamed up with @adidasoriginals for a big collab. 👟
Once again, the Drama Call x Man United pop-up shop will be opening from 7pm this Thursday only and trust us, the stock won’t last for long.
There may be an opportunity to cop some clobber at a future date, but for now, this is your only opportunity for early access if you’re a big fan of their stuff or just a dyed-in-the-wool Red who fills their wardrobe with pretty much anything Man United.
We expect there’ll be a few going for that kit.
Limited edition footy shirts are all the rage at the moment, especially in the music world, but there’s also a rugby jersey that’s caught our eye recently.
Kate Jackson -
6th August 2020 
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