Manchester City legend David Silva has been heavily linked with a possible move to Serie A outfit, Lazio after serving the Sky Blues for a decade.
Silva, at 34, will become a free agent after Manchester City’s UEFA Champions League campaign gets over. Since his arrival from Valencia 10 years back, the left-footed Spaniard has been a great success at the Etihad.
David Silva, who is one of the best Spanish players in Premier League history, has lifted 11 major titles for Manchester City, including four league crowns.
He is expected to sign a three-year contract with Lazio in the upcoming weeks as the Rome-based side prepare for their first Champions League outing in 12 years next season.
Speaking to the Spanish radio program El Transistor, the player’s father, Fernando Silva revealed that his son has turned down a year-long extension at Manchester City, highlighting David Silva’s desire to play in Serie A.
“David had been telling me for some time that he wanted to leave Manchester City at the end of a decade-long era. I would like him to remain in Europe. I can confirm that he loves Serie A and would really enjoy playing in Italy. He told me he could play there until he’s 40.”
With David Silva heavily tipped to join Lazio, let us take a look as to why the Italian outfit would be a perfect fit for the Spaniard.
Serie A’s technicality and less physical style would suit David Silva:
The Premier League is arguably one of the most physical leagues in the whole world. The players have to be technically as well as physically sound so that they can get the best out of themselves week in, week out.
And David Silva, soon to be 35, could have struggled with this combusting nature of English football.
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Meanwhile, Serie A, which is known for its compact defences and technically sound players, is physically much less demanding in nature as compared to the Premier League.
Silva, being sp technically gifted, would readily fit in with his oozing class and caliber in Serie A.
Moreover, it would be better for David Silva to join an ambitious club like Lazio, who are on the right path in building a formidable squad to challenge for the Serie A title next season.
Lazio’s fearless style of play:
Lazio have earned plaudits of many with their fearless style of play in the recently-concluded Serie A season. Simone Inzaghi’s men have performed out of their skin and exceeded all the expectations to finish fourth in Serie A.
The Eagles’ attractive style of play yielded big results, and just before the coronavirus-enforced break, they were breathing down Juventus‘ neck in the league.
In most of the matches, Simone Inzaghi deployed a 3-5-1-1 formation with a solid back three accompanied by a proper defensive pivot like Lucas Leiva seating in front of the defenders, while the likes of Luis Alberto and Joaquin Correa have marshalled the midfield with their creative skills and sharp footballing brain.
No disrespect to both Alberto and Correa, but David Silva would be a much better upgrade in a similar kind of role as he has been one of the best in his position for quite some time now.
In addition, the Spaniard’s experience would surely come handy for Lazio, who looked amateurish at times against the big teams.
The lure of Champions League football:
After a sensational domestic campaign in which they finished fourth in Serie A, Lazio secured a place in next season’s UEFA Champions League. The Rome-based outfit are all set to make their first appearance in Europe’s most prestigious club competition for the first time in 12 years.
And If David Silva decides to ply his trade in Rome next season, he will have the added incentive of participating in the Champions League for at least another season.
Although it still remains to be seen if he can win the trophy with Manchester City this season, with Pep Guardiola’s team advancing to the quarter-finals after beating Real Madrid, the idea of playing in the competition for at least another season could be a determining factor for Silva in choosing Lazio.
To sum it up, elite players always like to participate in the best of the competitions, and in David Silva’s case, it should be no different.
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