David Silva spent a decade at Manchester City before leaving them for Real Sociedad in 2020. The Spaniard ended his playing career after spending three years with the La Liga side.
The 38-year-old graduated from Valencia’s academy and featured regularly for their first team. This convinced Manchester City to bet on him in 2010.
La Real will host Los Ches in the league later today. Ahead of this clash, Saturday’s edition of AS have published a detailed interview with the Manchester City fan favourite.
The former attacking midfielder has talked about his entire playing career. During his time at Valencia, he was sent out on loan to SD Eibar and Celta Vigo between 2004 and 2006.
Silva has revealed it was ‘coincidence’ that he ended up at Celta. Valencia wanted to send him on loan to Getafe, but he failed to pass the medical. This saw him join Celta.
AS then directly asked him whether his transfer to Manchester ‘was a coincidence’. He joined the Citizens in June 2010, when Roberto Mancini was in charge at the Etihad.
When responding to that, the former Spain international revealed about the manager’s key role in his transfer to Manchester City.
” [Laughs] No, no… Mancini was calling me every week since December. He showed me confidence and I was clear about it. You have to go where they want you. I told Valencia to prioritise City’s offer. And I was right. I spent 10 great years there. Seeing where that club is now makes me happy, because I have been part of that growth,” he said.
On his decision to leave Manchester City for Real Sociedad, Silva explained: “I wanted to end up in Spain, in a good city for my family and San Sebastian is ideal.”
“But what caught my attention was his attractive football. When we faced Real Madrid in the Champions League with City, we analysed their game against Real. And I loved it.”
“I had three wonderful years, and I didn’t stay for a fourth because I got injured and decided to retire, but I would have been happy to stay for another year.”
