David Silva

[Walking on the blue moon]

I don't think it's black and white in the way you describe. I'm not suggesting that every footballer give up their international ambitions, merely that they all respect their clubs too. Personally I think there's no more frustrating an injury for a football club than one picked up on international duty. So the players should have a duty of care to know their bodies and know when it might be pushing it to play throughout the summer after a long season. It all seems entirely reasonable to me. There shouldn't be a blanket "they're called up they must go" just as there shouldn't be a blanket "clubs before country always". Just a bit of common sense and discretion.



I'm a bit lost with this paragraph. I don't take one approach with the players. I try and take every situation as I find it. Silva and Vinny both find themselves going into a summer after an injury riddled season at a time when a new broom is about to sweep through the whole club. My original point which I don't think is particularly controversial, is that Silva should probably have taken the summer off to give him the best possible chance of being a part of Guardiola's plans. He's chosen not to do that, which is his prerogative. I'm not going to applaud him for it when his season was so abject and his performances were so far short of the standards that he set.

Maybe it's the way I put it that causes such misunderstandings. I don't think clubs should be put before country, nor should country be put before the club. But where should we draw the line? And does Silva in his case disrespect the club by going to the Euros? Whilst it's frustrating, but there's no way to prevent it in my opinion, unless the player is unfit of course. My common sense and discretion tells me that Silva would be better if he rests more, just to err on the side of caution, but is it a disregard of his body if he's declared fit enough to play by both club and country for a major tournament? I don't think so. And news from Spain NT in the past week doesn't suggest any major problems. So my common sense tells me that short of the ever-present risks of injury in games, his chance of being in Guardiola's plans isn't really reduced by going to the Euros.

I know you normally don't take one approach with the players, but in the past season I think you found fault with Silva too much, to the point that sometimes I think you jumped in and pounced on his every little mistake. You said players should respect the club and not merely think of their personal satisfaction. Perhaps I over-interpret that, but it gives me a feeling that you are implying that he is selfish and a bit irresponsible. That's what I have issues with. You can comment on his performance this season all you want, but there's a big difference between criticizing a player's standards and his attitude.

 

[Walking on the blue moon]

The key to all this is a lack of player down time if they go to a major tournament and their side goes well. I think players need at least 4 weeks total rest in the off season some may require more. In the years ahead player burnout is going to be of growing concern. The only way out imo ultimately will be less games. Looking at the domestic situation it seems highly unlikely the PL will reduce in size or less cup games will be scheduled. Also in Europe less CL/EL games won't happen. Likewise can't see national organisation agreeing to less competitions. The bottom line will be that players may need to go into international retirement sooner than they would like to.

Yep, and to think that there is one more knock-out stage this year! Not to mention the long pre-season tours far far away, which would perhaps interrupt with pre-season fitness trainings. The entire system is screwed up. In the long-term it should be an issue to be addressed by the system though. Fewer meaningless pre-season games and tours, more stringent refereeing in international games, fewer meaningless international friendlies. Better national medical teams. Otherwise the situation may continue to get out of hand.

 

[BillyShears]

I know you normally don't take one approach with the players, but in the past season I think you found fault with Silva too much, to the point that sometimes I think you jumped in and pounced on his every little mistake. You said players should respect the club and not merely think of their personal satisfaction. Perhaps I over-interpret that, but it gives me a feeling that you are implying that he is selfish and a bit irresponsible. That's what I have issues with. You can comment on his performance this season all you want, but there's a big difference between criticizing a player's standards and his attitude.

Again I just find that a bizarre reflection of what I've actually posted about Silva this season. I've said quite a few times that I think he will probably get sold next summer. I've said quite a few times that his form when he returned from injury was very poor/shit/gash. I said quite a few times that if he was playing with an injury that Pellegrini should have word with himself for playing an unfit player. I said quite a few times that i thought KDB was a better number 10 and a more important player for the future. Beyond that if I've said something which was personal or overly harsh I don't remember it.

What I do remember is being repeatedly called an idiot and a **** to the point where I had to block a bunch of people because I couldn't be arsed with the mindless abuse.

 

[Walking on the blue moon]

Again I just find that a bizarre reflection of what I've actually posted about Silva this season. I've said quite a few times that I think he will probably get sold next summer. I've said quite a few times that his form when he returned from injury was very poor/shit/gash. I said quite a few times that if he was playing with an injury that Pellegrini should have word with himself for playing an unfit player. I said quite a few times that i thought KDB was a better number 10 and a more important player for the future. Beyond that if I've said something which was personal or overly harsh I don't remember it.

What I do remember is being repeatedly called an idiot and a **** to the point where I had to block a bunch of people because I couldn't be arsed with the mindless abuse.

Well I'm not the one who call you that am I?

Here are some examples of what I found annoying. The first one, from yesterday, "My point is simply that no matter what personalsatisfaction they take from international success, their job is with the clubs they are contracted to. That's who pays the wages, gives the platform for international recognition etc. So players in general should show a little more respect to their clubs". Is this not a very subtle way of saying that you think by going to the Euros, Silva is only thinking of personal satisfaction and not so much about his responsibility to the club?

Another one. The thread got deleted, but I remember clearly that you started it. It's merely a comment from Pellegrini on Silva not being fully fit, and you took it as a sign of chronic injury, even though I repeatedly posted information on how it may not be as serious as you think.

Another one. You said he's only playing because he wanted to get into the Spain squad for Euros. Is this not a veiled criticism of a player's attitude?

Another one. You said it was a good thing for the team that he's out injured for the second leg against Real. But you probably haven't read about Fernando saying they were a bit lost without Silva on the pitch.

The final one. You said you didn't think he's mentally strong enough to adapt his play after injury. This is a rather uninformed opinion isn't it? Look at the course of his career before making negative assumptions on a player's character.

I might disagree with your claim that he would probably be sold in the summer, or that KDB was a better no. 10, but they are not what I have problems with.

 

[BillyShears]

Well I'm not the one who call you that am I?

Here are some examples of what I found annoying. The first one, from yesterday, "My point is simply that no matter what personalsatisfaction they take from international success, their job is with the clubs they are contracted to. That's who pays the wages, gives the platform for international recognition etc. So players in general should show a little more respect to their clubs". Is this not a very subtle way of saying that you think by going to the Euros, Silva is only thinking of personal satisfaction and not so much about his responsibility to the club?

Not at all. I purposely italicised 'in general' because that comment wasn't about Silva but about players in general.

Another one. The thread got deleted, but I remember clearly that you started it. It's merely a comment from Pellegrini on Silva not being fully fit, and you took it as a sign of chronic injury, even though I repeatedly posted information on how it may not be as serious as you think.

Are you disputing Silva's had ankle issues throughout his career and quite pronounced in the last two season? Again I don't see what the problem is. If you disagree with my point of view that's fine but there's nothing personal in there that should cause you to take offence.

Another one. You said he's only playing because he wanted to get into the Spain squad for Euros. Is this not a veiled criticism of a player's attitude?

It's not a veiled criticism it's a direct criticism.

Another one. You said it was a good thing for the team that he's out injured for the second leg against Real. But you probably haven't read about Fernando saying they were a bit lost without Silva on the pitch.

I didn't expect to see De Bruyne playing wide left, I expected Pellegrini to play him in the number 10 role. Also baring in mind in Madrid we would be playing on the break I preferred the pace of Navas and Sterling either side of KDB rather than either side of Silva.

The final one. You said you didn't think he's mentally strong enough to adapt his play after injury. This is a rather uninformed opinion isn't it? Look at the course of his career before making negative assumptions on a player's character.

I'm well aware of the character which Silva has displayed throughout his career. I'm also well aware and have seen first hand the moments where IMO he's shown a distinct lack of character in matches.

I might disagree with your claim that he would probably be sold in the summer, or that KDB was a better no. 10, but they are not what I have problems with.

I won't post about Silva anymore as it seems you're not the only person with problems when I post my opinion on him. Can't say fairer than that.

 

[Walking on the blue moon]

Not at all. I purposely italicised 'in general' because that comment wasn't about Silva but about players in general.



Are you disputing Silva's had ankle issues throughout his career and quite pronounced in the last two season? Again I don't see what the problem is. If you disagree with my point of view that's fine but there's nothing personal in there that should cause you to take offence.



It's not a veiled criticism it's a direct criticism.



I didn't expect to see De Bruyne playing wide left, I expected Pellegrini to play him in the number 10 role. Also baring in mind in Madrid we would be playing on the break I preferred the pace of Navas and Sterling either side of KDB rather than either side of Silva.



I'm well aware of the character which Silva has displayed throughout his career. I'm also well aware and have seen first hand the moments where IMO he's shown a distinct lack of character in matches.



I won't post about Silva anymore as it seems you're not the only person with problems when I post my opinion on him. Can't say fairer than that.

Not at all. I purposely italicised 'in general' because that comment wasn't about Silva but about players in general.

Still I don't see any difference. You are making this point in this thread, which means, at least to me, that it's a criticism to his attitude.

Are you disputing Silva's had ankle issues throughout his career and quite pronounced in the last two season? Again I don't see what the problem is. If you disagree with my point of view that's fine but there's nothing personal in there that should cause you to take offence.

Does that mean it is a chronic or a constant problem? It only happens to be recurrence, which is entirely different from chronic issues. The problem is that with medical journals and guidelines provided you are still adamant that such issues will persist like this season, or if you like, the last two seasons. This is why I think you are dead set on your opinions of Silva.

It's not a veiled criticism it's a direct criticism.

Do you know the player personally? Then how do you know what he was thinking about? If not, wouldn't it be better not to criticize and give him the benefit of doubt?

I didn't expect to see De Bruyne playing wide left, I expected Pellegrini to play him in the number 10 role. Also baring in mind in Madrid we would be playing on the break I preferred the pace of Navas and Sterling either side of KDB rather than either side of Silva.

No, this is not your entire point. You asked about Yaya. This means you see Silva's contribution but choose to ignore it. Here's the quote:

"Yeah I agree. I think Silva is a passenger or has been in too many big games the last couple of seasons.

Any idea if Toure will be back ?"

Or you were thinking about having Yaya in a midfield two?

I'm well aware of the character which Silva has displayed throughout his career. I'm also well aware and have seen first hand the moments where IMO he's shown a distinct lack of character in matches.

Distinct lack of character in matches? The number of such matches are quite small compared with other top players, even some of those in our squad, isn't it? In fact, the reason why he became my favourite player is that he showed balls when so many of his other Spain teammates, a lot of whom are known for mental strength, didn't. And can you estimate the strength of character in face of adversity from matches alone? You have to look at the adversities he faced before and the opinions of those who know him in life, before you can draw such conclusion. Am I not right?

I won't post about Silva anymore as it seems you're not the only person with problems when I post my opinion on him. Can't say fairer than that.

Well, fair play to you. A slight suggestion though, which I hope you don't mind. Maybe reflection on why many people have problems with your comments when this is not the case for some of the others who share similar opinions with you would be great.

 

[Keeper!]

David Silva has had constant problems with his ankles throughout his career.

If it was a question of rest, he would have been given time off during the season. There was a period between October and February where he simply did not warrant a place in the team, regardless to injuries to Nasri and KDB.

 

[Walking on the blue moon]

David Silva has had constant problems with his ankles throughout his career.

If it was a question of rest, he would have been given time off during the season. There was a period between October and February where he simply did not warrant a place in the team, regardless to injuries to Nasri and KDB.

It is not constant problems. Constant problems means that the initial injury, which he had a surgery for, is never cleared. Recurrence is a new injury.

I think the reason why he was played between December and February despite the injuries and the form lies in Peller's interview. And later he was indeed given some rest. Though only for about a week each time.

 

[Keeper!]

It is not constant problems. Constant problems means that the initial injury, which he had a surgery for, is never cleared. Recurrence is a new injury.

I think the reason why he was played between December and February despite the injuries and the form lies in Peller's interview. And later he was indeed given some rest. Though only for about a week each time.

It is a constant problem, he simply has a weakness in his ankles. It's a reoccurring problem, one that may be due to his playing style. His ability to turn on the proverbial sixpence is incredible, but sadly it's also become apparent this season that he is no longer able to like he has in the past.
After Pellegrini's words in his interview, lets hope Silva can get back to full fitness and form.

But sadly I think we have seen the best of him.

 

[aguero93:20]

Yep, and to think that there is one more knock-out stage this year! Not to mention the long pre-season tours far far away, which would perhaps interrupt with pre-season fitness trainings. The entire system is screwed up. In the long-term it should be an issue to be addressed by the system though. Fewer meaningless pre-season games and tours, more stringent refereeing in international games, fewer meaningless international friendlies. Better national medical teams. Otherwise the situation may continue to get out of hand.

It's not the national medical teams I'm worried about.