Mikaël Silvestre

Mikaël Silvestre

Silvestre in 2015
Personal information
Full name Mikaël Samy Silvestre[1]
Date of birth (1977-08-09) 9 August 1977
Place of birth Chambray-lès-Tours, France
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[2][3]
Playing position Defender
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1996–1998 Rennes 49 (0)
1998–1999 Internazionale 18 (1)
1999–2008 Manchester United 249 (6)
2008–2010 Arsenal 26 (3)
2010–2012 Werder Bremen 27 (1)
2013–2014 Portland Timbers 8 (0)
2014 Chennaiyin 14 (1)
Total 391 (12)
National team‡
1997 France U20 5 (0)
2001–2006 France 40 (2)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 3 January 2015.

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 21:11, 5 April 2010 (UTC)

Mikaël Samy Silvestre (born 9 August 1977) is a former French footballer who last played as a defender for Chennaiyin in the Indian Super League.

He began his career in France at Rennes in 1996 and went on to spend a season with Italian club Inter Milan in 1998 before joining Manchester United in 1999. At Old Trafford, he won honours including five Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League, making 361 appearances in all competitions, then joined Arsenal in 2008. Two seasons later he joined German side Werder Bremen, and spent time at the Portland Timbers in Major League Soccer before signing for Chennaiyin in 2014, where he retired at the end of the season.

Silvestre has also played for the French national team, earning 40 caps between 2001 and 2006. He represented France at two FIFA World Cups (2002 and 2006, winning a runers-up medal in the latter edition of the tournament), UEFA Euro 2004, and two conquests of the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2001 and 2003.[4]

Club career

Early career

Born in Chambray-lès-Tours, Silvestre started playing football with 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 31 appearances for Internazionale in Serie A, Coppa Italia and in the UEFA Champions League.

Manchester United

Despite an approach from Liverpool manager Gérard Houllier,[5] Silvestre signed for Manchester United for £4 million on 10 September 1999,[6] and made his debut against Liverpool at Anfield the next day. In his first season at Manchester United he replaced an injured Ronny Johnsen in the centre of defence with Jaap Stam; By the 2001–02 season, Silvestre had established himself in defence ahead of the veteran Denis Irwin, and was proving to be adept both in defence and in getting forward at left back. 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.

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. 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.[7] 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).[8] 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.[9][10]

On 9 April 2008, Silvestre made his first start for seven months in a Champions League quarter-final match versus Roma.[11]

Arsenal

Silvestre warming up before a match.

A transfer to Bordeaux 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 2008–09 season.[12] He received an offer to join Manchester City from manager Mark Hughes and was set to join them; however, during the medical examination, Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger called to offer Silvestre a transfer to his club. Given the strong French presence at Arsenal, the rivalry between Manchester United and Manchester City, and the fact that Manchester City were not yet a force in English football, Silvestre opted to join the London club.[5]

The transfer to Arsenal was completed for an undisclosed fee on 20 August 2008, with Silvestre signing a two-year contract.[13] 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. [14] On 8 November 2008, Silvestre played his first game against former side Manchester United, in a fixture that Arsenal eventually won 2–1.[15]

Werder Bremen

After the 2009–10 season, Silvestre was released by Arsenal and became a free agent. 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."[16] 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. He was released at the end of the 2011–12 season. He was offered a trial at English club West Ham United in September 2012.[17] In October 2012, Silvestre began training with his former club, Manchester United, in order to maintain his fitness in the hope of finding a new club. Since then, he received an offer from Indian club Dodsal F.C., with a view to joining them in time for their new season in January 2013.[5]

Portland Timbers

Silvestre spent time on trial with MLS side Portland Timbers ahead of the 2013 MLS campaign, and then moved to trial with fellow Cascadia region MLS side Seattle Sounders FC. The Timbers obtained Silvestre's MLS discovery rights from the Sounders in exchange for a first-round pick in the 2014 MLS Supplemental Draft and a conditional 2015 draft pick.[18] On 19 February 2013 it was announced that Silvestre had signed a two-year deal with Portland.[19]

On 2 May 2013 Silvestre tore his left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in a game against the New England Revolution. He missed the rest of the season.[20] Silvestre subsequently had surgery to repair the damage.[21] Despite his injury, Silvestre remained a vocal and engaged member of the team off the field and on social media.

Silvestre was released by Portland on 28 January 2014.[22]

Chennaiyin

On 20 September 2014, Silvestre joined newly formed Indian Super League side Chennaiyin for four months and his signing was confirmed through Prashant Agarwal CEO of Kshatriya Sports, who confirmed that Silvestre signed the contract for the season for more than $500,000 (USD).[23][24] He started in their first match on 15 October 2014, a 2–1 victory at FC Goa.[25]

At the end of the season, after playing 14 games for Chennaiyin, Silvestre announced that would be exploring options to extend his playing career in the Middle-East and if not, he would continue working on his coaching badges, meaning that his time at Chennaiyin was over.[26]

International career

Silvestre was previously a member of French junior team at the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship. He earned his first senior cap for France 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.

Silvestre also played one game in the French squad that made the final of the 2006 FIFA World Cup, but has not played since the tournament. He was recalled by Raymond Domenech for the 19 November 2008 friendly against Uruguay, but was an unused substitute. Raymond Domenech said he was in contention for a place at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, but he did not get a place. Silvestre 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[27] Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Rennes 1995–96 100000000010
1996–97 16010100000180
1997–98 32020100000350
Total 49030200000540
Internazionale 1998–99 18170–6000311
Total 18170–6000311
Manchester United 1999–2000 310–004030380
2000–01 301200014010471
2001–02 350200013110511
2002–03 341205013000541
2003–04 34051006111463
2004–05 35240208010502
2005–06 33140506000481
2006–07 14120203000211
2007–08 300000201060
Total 24962111406928136110
Arsenal 2008–09 14220106000232
2009–10 12120303000201
Total 26340409000433
Werder Bremen 2010–11 26110003000301
2011–12 100000000010
Total 27110003000311
Portland Timbers 2013 800000000080
Total 800000000080
Chennaiyin 2014 600000000060
Total 600000000060
Career total 383103612008728153414

Statistics accurate as of 30 April 2011[28][29]

Personal

Silvestre's father, Franck, is from Guadeloupe.[30] Silvestre and his wife, Séverine, have children named Evy, Cléo Mya, and Zack.[31]

Honours

Club

Manchester United

International

France

References

  1. ↑ Hugman, Barry J. (2005). The PFA Premier & Football League Players' Records 1946–2005. Queen Anne Press. p. 562. ISBN 1-85291-665-6.
  2. ↑ Hugman, Barry J. (2009). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2009–10. Edinburgh: Mainstream Publishing. p. 376. ISBN 978-1-84596-474-0.
  3. ↑ Rollin, Glenda; Rollin, Jack, eds. (2009). Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2009–2010. Headline. p. 429. ISBN 978-0-7553-1948-0.
  4. ↑ "Silvestre sweet on prospects". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 18 August 2003. Retrieved 11 November 2008.
  5. 1 2 3 "Sporting spotlight: Mikael Silvestre". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 5 December 2012. Retrieved 5 December 2012.
  6. ↑ "Papers: Silvestre to Arsenal?". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. 20 August 2008. Retrieved 4 March 2011.
  7. ↑ "Injured Silvestre out for season". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 14 March 2007. Retrieved 11 November 2008.
  8. ↑ "Silvestre turned down Newcastle to avoid Barton". The Daily Mail. London. 12 August 2007. Retrieved 11 July 2007.
  9. ↑ "Neville steps up comeback". Sky Sports. BSkyB. 20 March 2008. Retrieved 4 July 2008.
  10. ↑ Bartram, Steve (20 March 2008). "Reserves: United 4 City 1". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. Retrieved 4 March 2011.
  11. ↑ Thompson, Gemma (9 April 2008). "Report: United 1 Roma 0". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. Retrieved 4 July 2008.
  12. ↑ Bartram, Steve (1 July 2008). "Silvestre set to stay". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. Retrieved 4 March 2011.
  13. ↑ "Arsenal sign Man Utd's Silvestre". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 20 August 2008. Retrieved 20 August 2008.
  14. ↑ "Arsenal 4-4Tottenham". Sky Sports.
  15. ↑ McNulty, Phil (8 November 2008). "Arsenal 2–1 Man Utd". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 27 April 2010.
  16. ↑ "So long Silvestre! Mikael makes switch to German side Werder Bremen on a free". The Daily Mail. London. 30 August 2010. Retrieved 4 March 2011.
  17. ↑ Sky Sports http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11685/8076004/Hammers-look-at-trio. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  18. ↑ http://www.portlandtimbers.com/news/2013/02/timbers-sign-french-defender-mikael-silvestre
  19. ↑ Arnold, Geoffrey (19 February 2013). "Portland Timbers sign defender Mikael Silvestre". OregonLike. The Oregonian. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  20. ↑ http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/05/03/bad-worse-portland-timbers-defender-mikael-silvestre-out-torn-acl
  21. ↑ http://www.portlandtimbers.com/news/2013/05/portland-timbers-defender-mikael-silvestre-undergoes-successful-knee-surgery
  22. ↑ http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/01/27/portland-timbers-veteran-defender-mikael-silvestre-mutually-agree-part-ways
  23. ↑ http://www.ibtimes.co.in/indian-super-league-former-manchester-united-arsenal-defender-signs-chennaiyin-fc-609722/ International Business Times
  24. ↑ http://www.thehindu.com/sport/football/silvestre-for-chennaiyin-fc/article6430396.ece/ The Hindu
  25. ↑ Raj, Rohan (15 October 2014). "ISL: Record-breaking Chennaiyin FC romp to 2-1 win over FC Goa". India Today. Retrieved 15 October 2014.
  26. ↑ Downer, Martin. "Indian Super League no walk in the park, Mikael Silvestre insists". Gulf News. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
  27. ↑ Includes other competitive competitions, including the FA Community Shield, UEFA Super Cup, Intercontinental Cup, FIFA Club World Cup
  28. ↑ "16. Mikaël Silvestre". Soccerbase. 2 January 2010. Retrieved 2 January 2010.
  29. ↑ "Silvestre, Mickaël". National Football Teams. Retrieved 30 April 2011.
  30. ↑ "Mikaël Silvestre". guadeloupe.net. Retrieved 2016-03-07.
  31. ↑ "Fan frenzy at Hannah Montana premiere as Miley Cyrus flashes her legs in a VERY short dress". The Daily Mail. London. 24 April 2009. Retrieved 27 April 2010.
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