END OF AN ERA AS BLUES FINISH IN STYLE
City hit five on emotional final day at Etihad as records fall /Match report and analysis
DAVID Silva has thanked his City team-mates for their emotional gesture as he was substituted in his final Premier League game.
Silva captained City in the league for the final time as he prepares to leave the club this summer. He is still set to play a key part in the Champions League, but he has played his last Premier League game for the club in the 5-0 win over Norwich.
The Spaniard was replaced on 85 minutes, with every player and member of staff rising to their feet at the Etihad, despite the absence of supporters.
And reflecting on the end of his Premier League career, Silva said he was filled with emotion as his players surrounded him and applauded him off the pitch.
He said: “I enjoy the ten years, this was the last one in Premier League, now we need to focus on the Champions League.
“[It was] emotional because I’ve been working with them ten years, I love all of them because we have a good relationship, and I will miss all of them.
“Of course [I am proud], I couldn’t imagine when I come here to win so many titles and the way we won it. I’m a lucky guy, I have a lot of nice moments and this one as well, a nice one.”
Asked what he will miss from playing for City, Silva said the backroom staff and teammates at the Etihad have played a huge part in his life and he will miss them more than anything else.
“I will miss everything,” he explained.
“To work every day with these people, amazing people that work at the club. They have done my life for much years.
“I didn’t expect this [when I arrived] but like I said because of the people, the way the treat me and my family I have been here so long.”
And Silva set City a target of winning the Champions League before he leaves so he can sign off with the one trophy that has evaded him so far in his time at the club.
“I hope we can win the Champions League,” he said.
“This is a pity because we cannot play with the people but the safety of the people is the most important thing.”