Merlin deserves big Champions League send-off SAYS JOLEON LESCOTT
JOLEON LESCOTT believes that Manchester City’s most fitting send-off for David Silva would be a Champions League triumph.
Mesmeric midfielder Silva waves farewell to the Premier League today against relegated Norwich, in his final match after a decade of brilliance at the Etihad.
City and their fans are devastated to see the 34-year-old World Cup winner and four-time Premier League champion leave.
But Lescott, who played with the Spain star for four years at City, reckons the blow will be softened if Silva lifts the Champions
League in Lisbon next month.
Former City and England defender Lescott said: “The only thing left now is that hopefully the club wins the Champions League and he is the guy to lift that trophy at the end of his tenure. That would be a remarkable conclusion.
“Personally, I’d like another five years of David Silva – but he is not the sort of person who you can change his mind. He feels the time is right for a new challenge.
“I don’t know where that will be but I’m excited to know because I will definitely go there and watch.
“He has earned the right to make the decision off his own back.
“If David wanted to sign a new three-year contract the club would do that – but he has earned the right to leave on his terms.”
It’s Lescott who takes credit for nicknaming Spanish wizard Silva ‘Merlin’ – after the mythical magician – following a pre-season masterclass against Inter Milan in Dublin in 2011.
Lescott recalled: “That was one of his best games but most people probably didn’t see it.
“We’d beaten everyone in pre-season and we were starting to think, ‘Right. This could happen’.
“Inter had won the Treble in 2010 so they were strong. David played solely as a No.10, and that is when I christened him Merlin, the magician. I’m taking the credit for that and the name rightly stuck.
“We knew if he played there for the season, no-one would stop him – and they didn’t.
“Many players have great ability but to have the focus every minute of every day is what separates the best.
“I remember doing rondos – passing drills – where you have the boxes with two people in the middle intercepting.
“There was a spell of six or seven days when David just never lost the ball, so never went in the middle.
“He was just able to do whatever he wanted, and he was only using his left foot, really.”
Lescott reckons Silva is City’s greatest player – even above Vincent Kompany and Sergio Aguero (left).
“Yes, though they have had some greats – Vinnie, Sergio, Yaya Toure, Carlos Tevez was a great player – but not the level of consistency David has had, and he’s done it longer.
“Great players all do special things on a regular basis, but for 10 years?
“None of us can remember a period when he’s not contributed or played to the level he is now.
“Obviously he had some off-thefield issues with family but even that didn’t affect his form. It’s just, ‘This is what I’m here to do’. What a guy.”
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