Despite splashing £24m, why Leicester offloading 31-year-old flop was the best option for all parties

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4 years ago

LEICESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 01: Adrien Silva of Leicester City adjusts his boots during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Huddersfield Town at The King Power Stadium on January 1, 2018 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Tony Marshall/Getty Images)

Why Leicester City parting ways with Adrien Silva is ideal for both parties

According to Leicester Mercury, Leicester City star Adrien Silva has signed a permanent deal with Sampdoria, subject to international clearance.

Profile

The 31-year-old Portuguese central midfielder began his youth career at Bordeaux in 1999 and moved to Sporting CP’s academy in 2001. In the next couple of seasons, he moved up the youth ranks and was finally promoted to the senior team in 2008.

He featured sporadically for the team in the following seasons and was sent on two successive loan spells to Maccabi Haifa and Academica, from 2010 to 2012. Upon returning, he slotted into the first-team and was one of their most important players. In 238 appearances for the Portuguese side, he scored 39 goals and provided 19 assists (source – Transfermarkt).

LISBON, PORTUGAL – JULY 22: Sporting CP midfielder Adrien Silva from Portugal during the Friendly match between Sporting CP and AS Monaco at Estadio Jose Alvalade on July 22, 2017 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images)

A £24m transfer to Leicester City occurred in 2017. However, Silva has spent the last two seasons on loan at AS Monaco. A regular for the Portugal youth sides, Silva also has 26 appearances and one goal for the senior Portugal side.

Why Silva’s exit is best for both the club and the player

It was very clear that Silva had no place at Leicester anymore. The club performed admirably without him last season, with the likes of Youri Tielemans, Wilfred Ndidi, Dennis Praet, James Maddison and co. all stepping up in the midfield.

The club also has players such as Hamza Choudhury, Nampalys Mendy, etc. to call upon as backup. With such a large contingent of midfielders in the team, Brendan Rodgers could be forgiven for not including Adrien Silva in his plans.

Monaco’s Portuguese midfielder Adrien Silva kicks the ball during the French Cup football match between Monaco and Saint-Etienne at the “Louis II” stadium in Monaco on January 28, 2020. (Photo by VALERY HACHE / AFP) (Photo by VALERY HACHE/AFP via Getty Images)

It may seem harsh on the veteran midfielder but such is the nature of modern football. There was no way he could push his way into Leicester’s midfield even if he wanted to. All of those positions are filled with talented players and able backups.

It seems like the best decision for Leicester to part ways with Silva and let him start afresh.

Sourav Ghosh