Mikael Silvestre
Encyclopedia
Mikaël Samy Silvestre is a French international footballer. He plays as defender
and is currently signed with Werder Bremen
of the Bundesliga. He has also played for the French national team
. Silvestre is adept as both a centre-back and a left-back, though he has stated that he prefers playing in the centre.
, Silvestre started playing football in the Tours
area, in the Loire Valley
, where his father Franck, originally from Guadeloupe
, was an amateur player. Silvestre was then drafted by the Rennes Football Academy in Brittany
and began his league career with the French club in the 1995–96 season. His time at the club helped build his reputation, and in the 1997–98 season was signed by Internazionale
. He made 18 league appearances for Inter, as well as six European Cup games.
at Anfield in 1999. His first season at Manchester United was not exceptional replacing an injured Ronny Johnsen
in the centre with Jaap Stam
; he appeared to struggle initially to adapt to the English league. By the 2001–02 season, however, Silvestre had established himself in defence ahead of the veteran Denis Irwin
, and was proving to be adept both in defence and getting forward. He set up numerous goals for Ruud van Nistelrooy
, notably away to Deportivo de La Coruña
in a 2–0 towards the end of the season. There was criticism put his way after the Bayer 04 Leverkusen game where he was largely blamed for the late equaliser in the 1–1 draw, but this typified Manchester United's season as a whole, and he was one of their better performers.
During the next season he carried on initially where he left off at the left of Manchester United's back four, but following injury to Rio Ferdinand
and the poor performance of an aging Laurent Blanc
, he was switched to his favoured position of central defence. This first happened at half-time in the UEFA Champions League
match away in Basel on 26 November 2002 when the team were 1–0 down and struggling with a young John O'Shea
looking shaky at the heart of the defence. Silvestre and O'Shea were switched for the second half and the team immediately looked more solid defensively. From this point Silvestre forged a successful partnership mid-season with Wes Brown
at the heart of the defence until Ferdinand's return, looking calm and assured. Using his pace to good effect, while continuing to provide goals with his accurate diagonal balls.
The beginning of the 2003–04 season saw Silvestre paired with Ferdinand in the centre of the team's defence. However, this was cut short following Ferdinand's eight month ban for missing a drug test. In the latter half of this season when being paired with an unfit Wes Brown, Manchester United's defence proved to be rather less secure and both Brown and Silvestre were at fault for numerous goals and despite winning the FA Cup
with a 3–0 victory over Millwall
, this uncertainty at the heart of the defence was to continue into the start of the 2004–05 season.
Competition for places grew significantly during the January transfer window in 2006 with the signings of Nemanja Vidić
and Patrice Evra
. Although both struggled to adapt initially, both have since gone on to establish themselves as firm fan favourites and key members of the Manchester United squad. Following the partnership of Vidić and Ferdinand at the heart of the defence, and Evra's holding of the left-back position, Silvestre found it more difficult to secure a place in the Manchester United starting line-up. However, his form improved toward the end of the season. He admitted that he was given the option to leave during the January transfer window during 2006, with an opportunity to join former Liverpool manager Gérard Houllier
at Lyon
. He did however decide to stay and fight for his place at United.
On 11 August 2006, his loyalty to the club was rewarded with a new contract extending his stay at the club until at least 2009. Alex Ferguson
commented: "Mikael has been an important member of the squad for seven years now. His experience at the Club will help the younger players as they develop and he has a central role to play in the first team."
He started the 2006–07 season against Watford
, scoring a goal, his first away goal for United, to give United the lead, and then 15 minutes later making a defensive error to aid their equaliser. He was starting to reassert himself in the left-back role when he broke a metatarsal in a 1–0 defeat to Arsenal. After recovering and playing several games, he dislocated his shoulder in a Champions League win against Lille OSC
, meaning he was unable to play for the rest of the season. He did however win his fourth Premier League winner's medal that season as United won the league for the first time since 2003.
Silvestre revealed that in the summer of 2007 he turned down the opportunity to sign for Newcastle United
, because he refused to play in the same side as Joey Barton
(who attacked Silvestre's close friend Ousmane Dabo
).
With Gabriel Heinze
moving to Real Madrid
, Silvestre was set to battle Evra for the starting left-back spot in the first eleven at Manchester United in the 2007–08 season. On 15 September, however, Silvestre was stretchered off with knee ligament damage that would rule him out for the rest of the season. On 24 September, Ferguson revealed that: "I'm sure Mikael will be back in March." He also said, "we had him operated on in France last week and it all went well. It was pleasing to see there was no further damage other than the cruciate ligament. That's a big bonus because sometimes there can be cartilage problems that also come along."
On 20 March, Silvestre made his comeback in the Manchester United reserves in a 4–1 win over Manchester City
.
On 9 April 2008, Silvestre made his first start for seven months in a Champions League quarter-final match versus Roma
.
was mooted in the summer of 2008. However, it is believed that Silvestre turned the transfer down to see out the remaining year of his contract, and potentially receive a testimonial match at the end of the 2008–2009 season
. On 19 August 2008, it was suggested that Silvestre had backed out of a move to Manchester City
, after hearing that Arsenal
were interested in signing him.
The transfer to Arsenal was completed for an undisclosed fee on 20 August 2008, with Silvestre signing a two-year contract. The transfer made Silvestre the first player to transfer directly between Manchester United and Arsenal since Viv Anderson
(who moved in the opposite direction) in 1987, and the first player to move from United to Arsenal since Brian Kidd
in 1974. He was given the number 18 shirt, last worn by Pascal Cygan
.
Silvestre made his debut for the club in a 3–1 victory over Everton
on 18 October 2008, his 250th game in English football. In his first Champions League game for Arsenal, against Turkish side Fenerbahçe, he scored an own goal as Arsenal won 5–2. His first Premiership goal for Arsenal came against Tottenham Hotspur
on 29 October 2008, but Silvestre and 2 others were criticised by manager Arsène Wenger
after the match ended in a 4–4 draw. On 8 November 2008, Silvestre played his first game against former side Manchester United
, in a fixture that Arsenal eventually won 2–1. In April 2010, Silvestre filled in for the absence of Sol Campbell
and Alexandre Song
against Barcelona
, during which match Arsenal conceded a goal which many claim to be the fault of Silvestre. Others also suggest he was largely responsible for the second goal Arsenal conceded against North London rivals
Tottenham Hotspur
, which arguably could have had a dramatic effect on Arsenal's title challenge.
. He reportedly had offers from Fulham
and Kayserispor
, but instead signed for Werder Bremen
and said "This is a great new adventure for me, there were other offers, but Thomas Schaaf
and Klaus Allofs
fascinated me." In October 2010, Silvestre came under criticism from Werder Bremen sporting director Klaus Allofs, who commented that "[Silvestre] has been a disappointment at left back, his playing style is remarkably slow and he makes many mistakes". Despite the criticism, he managed to score his first goal for Bremen, in a magnificent shot which Bremen won against Bundesliga Champions Borussia Dortmund 2-0. By the end of the season, he made 26 league appearances, scoring a single league goal.
on 27 February 2001 in a friendly against Germany
that ended in a 1–0 win. He won the Confederations Cup both in 2001 and 2003 with France. However, he received criticism for his performance in Euro 2004, where he gave away penalties to both England
and Croatia
, before France were knocked out by Greece
in the quarter-finals. Previously he was a member of French junior team at the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship. He also played one game in the French squad that made the 2006 FIFA World Cup
final. He has not played for France since the 2006 World Cup. He was recalled by Raymond Domenech
for the 19 November 2008 friendly
against Uruguay
, but was an unused substitute. He reportedly said he was 'frustrated' by his lack of playing time for France. Raymond Domenech said he was in contention for a place at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, but he did not get a place. When Laurent Blanc became the new manager of France, he said that Silvestre was 'too old' to play at international level again. However, he was in the squad for a friendly against Romania in 2011, but was an unused substitute.
Statistics accurate as of 30 April 2011
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
and is currently signed with Werder Bremen
SV Werder Bremen
SV Werder Bremen is a German sports club best known for its association football team playing in Bremen, in the northwest German federal state of the same name. The club was founded on 4 February 1899 as Fußballverein Werder by a group of sixteen vocational high school students who had won a prize...
of the Bundesliga. He has also played for the French national team
France national football team
The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe...
. Silvestre is adept as both a centre-back and a left-back, though he has stated that he prefers playing in the centre.
Early career
Born in Chambray-lès-ToursChambray-lès-Tours
Chambray-lès-Tours is a commune in the Indre-et-Loire department in central France.-See also:*Communes of the Indre-et-Loire department...
, Silvestre started playing football in the Tours
Tours
Tours is a city in central France, the capital of the Indre-et-Loire department.It is located on the lower reaches of the river Loire, between Orléans and the Atlantic coast. Touraine, the region around Tours, is known for its wines, the alleged perfection of its local spoken French, and for the...
area, in the Loire Valley
Loire Valley
The Loire Valley , spanning , is located in the middle stretch of the Loire River in central France. Its area comprises approximately . It is referred to as the Cradle of the French Language, and the Garden of France due to the abundance of vineyards, fruit orchards, and artichoke, asparagus, and...
, where his father Franck, originally from Guadeloupe
Guadeloupe
Guadeloupe is an archipelago located in the Leeward Islands, in the Lesser Antilles, with a land area of 1,628 square kilometres and a population of 400,000. It is the first overseas region of France, consisting of a single overseas department. As with the other overseas departments, Guadeloupe...
, was an amateur player. Silvestre was then drafted by the Rennes Football Academy in Brittany
Brittany
Brittany is a cultural and administrative region in the north-west of France. Previously a kingdom and then a duchy, Brittany was united to the Kingdom of France in 1532 as a province. Brittany has also been referred to as Less, Lesser or Little Britain...
and began his league career with the French club in the 1995–96 season. His time at the club helped build his reputation, and in the 1997–98 season was signed by Internazionale
F.C. Internazionale Milano
Football Club Internazionale Milano, often referred to as Internazionale or simply Inter, is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Italy. Outside Italy, the club is often called Inter Milan. They are the reigning FIFA Club World champions and Coppa Italia holders.Inter have always...
. He made 18 league appearances for Inter, as well as six European Cup games.
Manchester United
Silvestre signed for Manchester United on 10 September 1999 for £4 million. He made his debut against LiverpoolLiverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
at Anfield in 1999. His first season at Manchester United was not exceptional replacing an injured Ronny Johnsen
Ronny Johnsen
Jean Ronny Johnsen is a former Norwegian football player. He played as a centre back or defensive midfielder, but was often sidelined because of his many injuries.-Career:...
in the centre with Jaap Stam
Jaap Stam
Jakob "Jaap" Stam is a retired Dutch football player who was twice voted best defender in the 1998–99 and 1999–2000 UEFA Champions League. He played for several European clubs like PSV Eindhoven, Manchester United, S.S. Lazio, A.C. Milan and AFC Ajax before retiring in October 2007...
; he appeared to struggle initially to adapt to the English league. By the 2001–02 season, however, Silvestre had established himself in defence ahead of the veteran Denis Irwin
Denis Irwin
Denis Joseph Irwin is a former Irish football player who is best known for his long and successful stint at Manchester United, where he established himself as one of the most important players in the United team that won a host of domestic and European trophies in his time there between 1990 and...
, and was proving to be adept both in defence and getting forward. He set up numerous goals for Ruud van Nistelrooy
Ruud van Nistelrooy
Rutgerus Johannes Martinus "Ruud" van Nistelrooy, , is a Dutch footballer who plays as a striker for Málaga CF in Spain's La Liga. He is the second-highest goalscorer in Champions League history with 60 goals...
, notably away to Deportivo de La Coruña
Deportivo de La Coruña
Real Club Deportivo de La Coruña is a professional football club based in the city of A Coruña, Galicia; founded in 1906 and currently playing in Segunda División...
in a 2–0 towards the end of the season. There was criticism put his way after the Bayer 04 Leverkusen game where he was largely blamed for the late equaliser in the 1–1 draw, but this typified Manchester United's season as a whole, and he was one of their better performers.
During the next season he carried on initially where he left off at the left of Manchester United's back four, but following injury to Rio Ferdinand
Rio Ferdinand
Rio Gavin Ferdinand is an English footballer. He plays at centre back for Manchester United in the Premier League and for the England national football team...
and the poor performance of an aging Laurent Blanc
Laurent Blanc
Laurent Robert Blanc is a French association football manager and former player. He is the head coach of the French national team, having replaced Raymond Domenech in the wake of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. He was previously the manager of Bordeaux...
, he was switched to his favoured position of central defence. This first happened at half-time in the UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
match away in Basel on 26 November 2002 when the team were 1–0 down and struggling with a young John O'Shea
John O'Shea
John O'Shea can refer to:*John O'Shea, Irish footballer with Sunderland*John O'Shea , New Zealand film director*John O'Shea *John O'Shea , Wales international rugby union footballer*John O'Shea...
looking shaky at the heart of the defence. Silvestre and O'Shea were switched for the second half and the team immediately looked more solid defensively. From this point Silvestre forged a successful partnership mid-season with Wes Brown
Wes Brown
Wesley Michael "Wes" Brown is an English footballer who plays as a defender for Sunderland. Before joining Sunderland, Brown had spent his entire career at Old Trafford, having joined the Manchester United youth team in 1996...
at the heart of the defence until Ferdinand's return, looking calm and assured. Using his pace to good effect, while continuing to provide goals with his accurate diagonal balls.
The beginning of the 2003–04 season saw Silvestre paired with Ferdinand in the centre of the team's defence. However, this was cut short following Ferdinand's eight month ban for missing a drug test. In the latter half of this season when being paired with an unfit Wes Brown, Manchester United's defence proved to be rather less secure and both Brown and Silvestre were at fault for numerous goals and despite winning the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
with a 3–0 victory over Millwall
Millwall F.C.
Millwall Football Club is an English professional football club based in South Bermondsey, south east London, that plays in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football. Founded as Millwall Rovers in 1885, the club has retained its name despite having last played in the...
, this uncertainty at the heart of the defence was to continue into the start of the 2004–05 season.
Competition for places grew significantly during the January transfer window in 2006 with the signings of Nemanja Vidić
Nemanja Vidic
Nemanja Vidić is a Serbian footballer who captains English Premier League club Manchester United. He was part of the Serbia national football team from 2002 to 2011....
and Patrice Evra
Patrice Evra
Patrice Latyr Evra is a French international footballer who currently plays for English club Manchester United in the Premier League and the France national team. Originally an attacker, he primarily plays as a left back and is described as "the classic example of a modern full-back" who is...
. Although both struggled to adapt initially, both have since gone on to establish themselves as firm fan favourites and key members of the Manchester United squad. Following the partnership of Vidić and Ferdinand at the heart of the defence, and Evra's holding of the left-back position, Silvestre found it more difficult to secure a place in the Manchester United starting line-up. However, his form improved toward the end of the season. He admitted that he was given the option to leave during the January transfer window during 2006, with an opportunity to join former Liverpool manager Gérard Houllier
Gérard Houllier
Gérard Houllier, OBE , is a French football manager, who was last manager of Premier League club Aston Villa. He stepped down on 1 June 2011, following hospitalisation over heart problems towards the end of the 2010-2011 season....
at Lyon
Olympique Lyonnais
Olympique Lyonnais is a French association football club based in Lyon. They play in France's highest football division, Ligue 1. The club was formed as Lyon Olympique Universitaire in 1899, according to many supporters and sport historians, but was nationally established as a club in 1950. The...
. He did however decide to stay and fight for his place at United.
On 11 August 2006, his loyalty to the club was rewarded with a new contract extending his stay at the club until at least 2009. Alex Ferguson
Alex Ferguson
Sir Alexander Chapman "Alex" Ferguson, CBE is a Scottish association football manager and former player, currently managing Manchester United, where he has been in charge since 1986...
commented: "Mikael has been an important member of the squad for seven years now. His experience at the Club will help the younger players as they develop and he has a central role to play in the first team."
He started the 2006–07 season against Watford
Watford F.C.
Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade...
, scoring a goal, his first away goal for United, to give United the lead, and then 15 minutes later making a defensive error to aid their equaliser. He was starting to reassert himself in the left-back role when he broke a metatarsal in a 1–0 defeat to Arsenal. After recovering and playing several games, he dislocated his shoulder in a Champions League win against Lille OSC
Lille OSC
LOSC Lille Métropole is a French association football club based in Lille. The club was founded in 1944 as a result of a merger and currently play in Ligue 1, the first division of French football. Lille plays its home matches at the Stade Lille-Metropole in nearby Villeneuve-d'Ascq. In 2012, the...
, meaning he was unable to play for the rest of the season. He did however win his fourth Premier League winner's medal that season as United won the league for the first time since 2003.
Silvestre revealed that in the summer of 2007 he turned down the opportunity to sign for Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
, because he refused to play in the same side as Joey Barton
Joey Barton
Joseph Anthony "Joey" Barton is an English footballer who plays for and captains Premier League side Queens Park Rangers as either a central midfielder or a winger....
(who attacked Silvestre's close friend Ousmane Dabo
Ousmane Dabo
Ousmane Dabo is a retired French footballer.He has previously played for Rennes, Internazionale, Vicenza, Parma, Monaco, Atalanta, Lazio, Manchester City and New England Revolution. He has represented France three times at full international level...
).
With Gabriel Heinze
Gabriel Heinze
Gabriel Iván Heinze is an Argentine footballer who plays for A.S. Roma in Italy. Mainly a left back, he can also operate as a central defender....
moving to Real Madrid
Real Madrid C.F.
Real Madrid Club de Fútbol , commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. The club have won a record 31 La Liga titles, the Primera División of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional , 18 Copas del Rey, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Copa Eva Duarte and 1 Copa de la...
, Silvestre was set to battle Evra for the starting left-back spot in the first eleven at Manchester United in the 2007–08 season. On 15 September, however, Silvestre was stretchered off with knee ligament damage that would rule him out for the rest of the season. On 24 September, Ferguson revealed that: "I'm sure Mikael will be back in March." He also said, "we had him operated on in France last week and it all went well. It was pleasing to see there was no further damage other than the cruciate ligament. That's a big bonus because sometimes there can be cartilage problems that also come along."
On 20 March, Silvestre made his comeback in the Manchester United reserves in a 4–1 win over Manchester City
Manchester City F.C.
Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
.
On 9 April 2008, Silvestre made his first start for seven months in a Champions League quarter-final match versus Roma
A.S. Roma
Associazione Sportiva Roma, commonly referred to as simply Roma, is a professional Italian football club based in Rome. Founded by a merger in 1927, Roma have participated in the top-tier of Italian football for all of their existence but one season in the early 50s...
.
Arsenal
A transfer to BordeauxFC Girondins de Bordeaux
Football Club des Girondins de Bordeaux is a French association football club based in the city of Bordeaux. The club currently play in Ligue 1, the first division of French football, and won its last Ligue 1 title in the 2008–09 season....
was mooted in the summer of 2008. However, it is believed that Silvestre turned the transfer down to see out the remaining year of his contract, and potentially receive a testimonial match at the end of the 2008–2009 season
2008–09 in English football
The 2008–09 season was the 129th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:* West Bromwich Albion, Stoke City and Hull City were all playing in the Premier League after winning promotion from the Championship last season. Stoke returned to the top flight after a 23-year absence, while...
. On 19 August 2008, it was suggested that Silvestre had backed out of a move to Manchester City
Manchester City F.C.
Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
, after hearing that Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
were interested in signing him.
The transfer to Arsenal was completed for an undisclosed fee on 20 August 2008, with Silvestre signing a two-year contract. The transfer made Silvestre the first player to transfer directly between Manchester United and Arsenal since Viv Anderson
Viv Anderson
Vivian Alexander "Viv" Anderson MBE is an English football player and coach, who played for clubs including Nottingham Forest, Arsenal, Manchester United and Sheffield Wednesday in the 1970s and 1980s...
(who moved in the opposite direction) in 1987, and the first player to move from United to Arsenal since Brian Kidd
Brian Kidd
Brian Kidd is an English football coach and former player, who is currently Assistant Manager to Roberto Mancini at Manchester City....
in 1974. He was given the number 18 shirt, last worn by Pascal Cygan
Pascal Cygan
Pascal Cygan is a retired French footballer. His favoured position was central defender, but he could also play at left back when needed....
.
Silvestre made his debut for the club in a 3–1 victory over Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
on 18 October 2008, his 250th game in English football. In his first Champions League game for Arsenal, against Turkish side Fenerbahçe, he scored an own goal as Arsenal won 5–2. His first Premiership goal for Arsenal came against Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
on 29 October 2008, but Silvestre and 2 others were criticised by manager Arsène Wenger
Arsène Wenger
Arsène Wenger, OBE is a French association football manager and former player, who has managed English Premier League side Arsenal since 1996...
after the match ended in a 4–4 draw. On 8 November 2008, Silvestre played his first game against former side Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
, in a fixture that Arsenal eventually won 2–1. In April 2010, Silvestre filled in for the absence of Sol Campbell
Sol Campbell
Sulzeer Jeremiah "Sol" Campbell is an English footballer who is currently a free agent. A central defender, Campbell has played for Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal, Portsmouth, Notts County and Newcastle United, as well as the English national team.Born in East London to Jamaican parents, Campbell's...
and Alexandre Song
Alexandre Song
Alexandre "Alex" Dimitri Song Billong , more commonly known as Alex Song, is a Cameroonian professional footballer who plays for Premier League side Arsenal and the Cameroon national team as a midfielder. He is the cousin of The Panthers central defender Rigobert Song...
against Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
, during which match Arsenal conceded a goal which many claim to be the fault of Silvestre. Others also suggest he was largely responsible for the second goal Arsenal conceded against North London rivals
North London derby
The North London derby is the name of the football local derby between the two major teams in North London – Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.-History:...
Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
, which arguably could have had a dramatic effect on Arsenal's title challenge.
Werder Bremen
After the 2009–10 season, Silvestre was released by Arsenal and became a free agentFree agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
. He reportedly had offers from Fulham
Fulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
and Kayserispor
Kayserispor
Kayserispor is a professional Turkish football club located in the city of Kayseri. Formed in 1966, Kayserispor are nicknamed Anadolu Yıldızı . The club colours are red and yellow, and the club play their home matches at Kadir Has Stadium.The club have won one Türkiye Kupası, in 2008...
, but instead signed for Werder Bremen
SV Werder Bremen
SV Werder Bremen is a German sports club best known for its association football team playing in Bremen, in the northwest German federal state of the same name. The club was founded on 4 February 1899 as Fußballverein Werder by a group of sixteen vocational high school students who had won a prize...
and said "This is a great new adventure for me, there were other offers, but Thomas Schaaf
Thomas Schaaf
Thomas Schaaf is a former German football defender and current manager of Werder Bremen. A true one-club man, he spent his entire playing career, and so far coaching career, with Werder Bremen...
and Klaus Allofs
Klaus Allofs
Klaus Allofs is a retired German footballer, who played as a striker.A prolific goalscorer for club and country , his younger brother, Thomas, was also a professional footballer – and a striker.-Club career:Allofs began playing...
fascinated me." In October 2010, Silvestre came under criticism from Werder Bremen sporting director Klaus Allofs, who commented that "[Silvestre] has been a disappointment at left back, his playing style is remarkably slow and he makes many mistakes". Despite the criticism, he managed to score his first goal for Bremen, in a magnificent shot which Bremen won against Bundesliga Champions Borussia Dortmund 2-0. By the end of the season, he made 26 league appearances, scoring a single league goal.
International career
He earned his first senior cap for FranceFrance national football team
The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe...
on 27 February 2001 in a friendly against Germany
Germany national football team
The Germany national football team is the football team that has represented Germany in international competition since 1908. It is governed by the German Football Association , which was founded in 1900....
that ended in a 1–0 win. He won the Confederations Cup both in 2001 and 2003 with France. However, he received criticism for his performance in Euro 2004, where he gave away penalties to both England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
and Croatia
Croatia national football team
The Croatia national football team represents Croatia in international football. The team is controlled by the Croatian Football Federation, the governing body for football in the country, and has been managed since 2006 by former player Slaven Bilić...
, before France were knocked out by Greece
Greece national football team
The Greece national football team represents Greece in association football and is controlled by the Hellenic Football Federation, the governing body for football in Greece. Greece's home ground is Karaiskakis Stadium in Piraeus and their head coach is Fernando Santos...
in the quarter-finals. Previously he was a member of French junior team at the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship. He also played one game in the French squad that made the 2006 FIFA World Cup
2006 FIFA World Cup
The 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 9 June to 9 July 2006 in Germany, which won the right to host the event in July 2000. Teams representing 198 national football associations from all six...
final. He has not played for France since the 2006 World Cup. He was recalled by Raymond Domenech
Raymond Domenech
Raymond Domenech is a retired French footballer and the former manager of the France national team.-2006 World Cup:On 12 July 2004, Domenech was a surprise choice to succeed Jacques Santini after the country's disappointing exit from UEFA Euro 2004 by losing in the quarter-final match to the...
for the 19 November 2008 friendly
Exhibition game
An exhibition game is a sporting event in which there is no competitive value of any significant kind to any competitor regardless of the outcome of the competition...
against Uruguay
Uruguay national football team
The Uruguayan national football team represents Uruguay in international association football and is controlled by the Uruguayan Football Association, the governing body for football in Uruguay. The current head coach is Óscar Tabárez...
, but was an unused substitute. He reportedly said he was 'frustrated' by his lack of playing time for France. Raymond Domenech said he was in contention for a place at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, but he did not get a place. When Laurent Blanc became the new manager of France, he said that Silvestre was 'too old' to play at international level again. However, he was in the squad for a friendly against Romania in 2011, but was an unused substitute.
Career statistics
| Club | Season | League | Cup | League Cup | Europe | Other | Total | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |||||||
| Rennes | 1995–96 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |||||
| 1996–97 | 16 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 0 | ||||||
| 1997–98 | 32 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 35 | 0 | ||||||
| Total | 49 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 54 | 0 | ||||||
| Internazionale F.C. Internazionale Milano Football Club Internazionale Milano, often referred to as Internazionale or simply Inter, is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Italy. Outside Italy, the club is often called Inter Milan. They are the reigning FIFA Club World champions and Coppa Italia holders.Inter have always... |
1998–99 | 18 | 1 | 7 | 0 | – | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 1 | ||||||
| Total | 18 | 1 | 7 | 0 | Manchester United Manchester United F.C. Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958... | 1999–2000 | 31 | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 38 | 0 | |
| 2000–01 | 30 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 47 | 1 | ||||||
| 2001–02 | 35 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 51 | 1 | ||||||
| 2002–03 | 34 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 54 | 1 | ||||||
| 2003–04 | 34 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 46 | 3 | ||||||
| 2004–05 | 35 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 50 | 2 | ||||||
| 2005–06 | 33 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 48 | 1 | ||||||
| 2006–07 | 14 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 1 | ||||||
| 2007–08 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 0 | ||||||
| Total | 249 | 6 | 21 | 1 | 14 | 0 | 69 | 2 | 8 | 1 | 361 | 10 | ||||||
| Arsenal Arsenal F.C. Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups... |
2008–09 | 14 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 2 | |||||
| 2009–10 | 12 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 1 | ||||||
| Total | 26 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 43 | 3 | ||||||
| Werder Bremen SV Werder Bremen SV Werder Bremen is a German sports club best known for its association football team playing in Bremen, in the northwest German federal state of the same name. The club was founded on 4 February 1899 as Fußballverein Werder by a group of sixteen vocational high school students who had won a prize... |
2010–11 2010–11 Fußball-Bundesliga The 2010–11 Fußball-Bundesliga was the 48th season of the Fußball-Bundesliga, Germany's premier football league. The season started on the weekend of 21 August 2010 with the traditional season opening match involving the defending champions and ended with the last games on 14 May 2011. The winter... |
26 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 0 | |||||
| Total | 26 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 0 | ||||||
| Career total | 368 | 10 | 36 | 1 | 20 | 0 | 87 | 2 | 8 | 1 | 519 | 14 | ||||||
Statistics accurate as of 30 April 2011
Club
Manchester United- Premier League (4): 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2002–03, 2006–07
- FA CupFA CupThe Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
(1): 2003–04 - Football League CupFootball League CupThe Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
(1): 2005–06 - FA Community ShieldFA Community ShieldThe Football Association Community Shield is English football's annual match contested between the champions of the previous Premier League season and the holders of the FA Cup at Wembley Stadium. If the Premier League champions also won the FA Cup then the league runners-up provide the opposition...
(2): 20032003 FA Community ShieldThe 2003 FA Community Shield was the 81st FA Community Shield, a football match played between the winners of the previous season's Premier League and FA Cup competitions...
, 20072007 FA Community ShieldThe 2007 FA Community Shield was a football match played on 5 August 2007 between 2006–07 Premier League champions Manchester United and 2006–07 FA Cup winners Chelsea. Manchester United won the game 3–0 on penalties, after the match finished 1–1 after 90 minutes; the Community Shield... - UEFA Champions LeagueUEFA Champions LeagueThe UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
(1): 2007–082008 UEFA Champions League FinalThe 2008 UEFA Champions League Final was a football match that took place on Wednesday, 21 May 2008 at 20:45 CEST . The match was played at the Luzhniki Stadium, in Moscow, Russia, to determine the winner of the 2007–08 UEFA Champions League... - Intercontinental CupIntercontinental Cup (football)The European/South American Cup, commonly referred to as the World Club Championship, Intercontinental Cup or Toyota Cup, was a football competition endorsed by UEFA and CONMEBOL, contested between the winners of the European Cup and the South American Copa Libertadores...
(1): 19991999 Intercontinental CupThe 1999 Intercontinental Cup was a football match played on 30 November 1999 between Manchester United, winners of the 1998–99 UEFA Champions League, and Palmeiras, winners of the 1999 Copa Libertadores...
International
France- FIFA Confederations CupFIFA Confederations CupThe FIFA Confederations Cup is an association football tournament for national teams, currently held every four years by FIFA. It is contested by the winners of each of the six FIFA confederation championships , along with the FIFA World Cup winner and the host nation, to bring the number of teams...
(2): 20012001 FIFA Confederations Cup-Group B:---------------------Knockout stage:-Semi-finals:-----Third place play-off:-Final:-Awards:-Top scorers:2 goals Shaun Murphy Éric Carrière Robert Pirès Patrick Vieira Sylvain Wiltord Takayuki Suzuki Hwang Sun-Hong...
, 20032003 FIFA Confederations CupThe 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup football tournament was the sixth FIFA Confederations Cup, held in France in June 2003. France retained the title they had won in 2001, but the tournament was overshadowed by the death of Cameroon player Marc-Vivien Foé, who died of heart failure in his side's...
External links
- Career Details at National Football Teams