David Silva played with a wide variety of great footballers throughout his career, and one of them blew him away with the speed that they displayed.
Speed is something that can add a lot to a player’s game, whether they’re attackers or defenders as it is something that cannot be taught.
Silva wasn’t the quickest player in the world, but he had one of the sharpest minds, which allowed him to play some incredible passes to his team-mates.
That often led to him feeding in the faster players at the club, and it was a former Manchester City team-mate who he believes was the quickest he played with.
David Silva believes Kyle Walker is the fastest player he’s ever seen
Silva was able to share a pitch with plenty of speedy wingers who were able to beat a man with ease, but it was actually a defender who he believes is the fastest player he shared a pitch with.
Silva named Kyle Walker when asked by the Champions League’s TikTok page who the speediest player he shared the pitch with was.
Silva and Walker enjoyed a lot of success together at Manchester City, where the speed of Man City’s full-back was crucial at many points.
Walker’s speed allowed him to have great recovery on the pitch, ensuring he could catch up with any winger he played against, even if the ball was played in behind him.
It’s something that Man City took full advantage of throughout his time with the club, as they signed him from Tottenham Hotspur, who he had played for from 2011 to 2017.
Man City paid £45million for Walker to sign him on a five-year deal, and while that was seen as a significant sum of money for a defender at that time, it’s a transfer that worked out as he made 319 appearances for the club.
He didn’t just rely on his pace either as he was a physical defender too, with Cole Palmer claiming Walker’s the strongest player that he’s ever played with.
Like Silva, Walker ended up parting ways with Man City. His time at the club finished this past summer, and at 35, he is starting to slow down.
The experienced full-back joined Burnley for this season as the newly promoted side looked to add some experience to the ranks, but as he winds down his career, the focus has turned to what’s next for him.
Walker spoke to Sky Sports about his future and whether or not he would consider coaching or management.
“Who knows? I’m not going to write it off, I’m not going to sit here and say no. I’m okay at stuff like this [interviews], but in a room full of people, I’m not too good.
“When you’re having to stand up in front of 25 players plus coaching staff and they’re all singing off your hymn sheet and you have to deliver your message quite clearly, it’s not as easy as people think it is.
“I feel fantastic. I feel great.
“Recovery is a little bit longer, I’ll say that. But I take football very seriously. Everyone needs to remember why we came into football, or why we go and watch football, it’s because we love the game and it’s fun.”