September 13th 2009: “It is true that there was a bid from a big English club,” Silva said. “If it was only a question of money then I would have accepted the move.”

May 10th 2010: “When you hear a club like Manchester United is interested in you it is an honour,” Silva said. “I am very aware of the Premier League, and in recent years it has been the stand-out league in the world. If it came calling, especially if it was a club like Manchester United, it would be very hard to resist.”

June 20th 2010: “Chelsea have established themselves as one of the best clubs in Europe over the last five years,” said Silva. “They might not have the history of Real Madrid or AC Milan but they are creating their own history now. There is no reason why in the future Chelsea can’t be as decorated as Real Madrid. Chelsea probably have, along with Barcelona, the best squad in football and if any player joins Chelsea he knows he is going to win things. In players like John Terry, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba they have players who would get into any team in the world and it would be a pleasure to play with them. There is no doubt in my mind that Chelsea would be a great club to play for – and a club where I could fulfil my ambition of league titles and the European Cup.”

June 30th 2010: “This is a very special moment for me because I’m leaving my lifelong club – the place where I grew as a person and as a player,” Silva said. “However, I’m also excited to be starting a huge project in the Premier League with Manchester City.”

Oh yes, the project, which started two years ago, has already cost £300m in transfer fees alone (forgetting the scandalous wage bills required to lure players to such a small club to balance out of the lack of winners’ medals) but has brought nothing to the club, other than a couple more seasons without a trophy.

Less than a year ago Silva claimed he wouldn’t move for money, last month he said he wanted to play for United, ten days ago he said he wanted to play for Chelsea… and now he’s signed for City. Either we’ve got another money grabbing whore on our hands, he’s just a bit simple or the bluenoses pulled off their famous “do you want to sign for Manchester?” trick…




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