Leicester City’s Claude Puel tips Adrien Silva to hit the ground running
By James Lassey
The 28-year-old missed out on a summer transfer to the Foxes as documentation for the £22million move from Sporting Lisbon was received by the FA 14 seconds after the August deadline.
The Portugal international made 127 appearances for the Lisbon side scoring 32 goals in the process.
New Leicester City manager Claude Puel says that he already has common ground with Silva as he knows French, having been born in the manager’s homeland.
"“He is a French player,” he said. “He was born in Bordeaux and after he took the selection because his parents are from Portugal.“He speaks French and I can speak with him. He is a good player on the pitch, a technical player with quality.”"
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Silva scored the winner from the spot in Portugal’s Confederations Cup 3rd place playoff against Mexico last year and is highly rated across the continent.
The tenacious midfielder started off at his former club Sporting Lisbon before leaving to join Acad Coimbra having only made one senior appearance in four years.
One year later he returned to the Portuguese capital to reunite with Sporting and was in the 2015 side that won the Portuguese Cup.
Despite not playing a senior game this season, Puel backs Silva to come back stronger than ever and believes the player has been putting in the hard work.
"He said: “Of course it is frustrating for him without playing and without thinking about the game at the weekend.“It is difficult for him and I understand. But he has a good focus in training and he works hard. He will be ready for January. He can give the team a good potential.”"
Puel will be preparing his side for their Saturday lunchtime clash against Stoke City and will be looking to build on last week’s 2-0 victory over Premier League straggler’s Everton.
The Foxes currently sit four points clear of the relegation zone and they face a tough month with three of their next fives games against opposition placed in the top seven. Leicester’s next three home games see them host Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Burnley.
Next: Stoke City vs Leicester City: The key decisions facing Claude Puel