António Silva explains out of Benfica and ‘iliba’ CR7: “Best ever”

António Silva gave, this Monday, an extensive interview to the portal Transfermarkt, in which he addressed a number of issues, including the decision to leave Benfica to Bournemouth in the past summer transfer market, in return for an amount of EUR 25 million, which may amount to EUR 30 million, by achieving objectives.

“ I think Bournemouth has a very good project. Tiago Pinto [President of Bournemouth football operations] realized that just before I came. I think Coach [Marco Rose] also fits very well in the project, because he likes to develop young players ", started by affirming.

“Just look at some transfers from Bournemouth in recent years, the way they play and the way they also sell players, to see that they are doing very well. So, yes, it was easy to choose Bournemouth”, continued the 22-year-old central defense.

“I played for years at Benfica, which is also a good club to be sold to big clubs. So I was just looking for a good project. Tiago Pinto played an important role in this. In the future, we'll see. I want to do my best this year and then we will see”, added.

Still, he stressed, not everything was a ‘sea of roses’: “For me, Lisbon is my home, you know? So it was hard to move abroad. But I'm here to play in the Premier League, so I'm gonna do everything I can to play in this league. The Bournemouth people have been very nice to me, they have welcomed me very well. So I’m quite used to the city and I just want to play football”.

“Premier League is like playing the Champions League every weekend”

António Silva then turned attention to the way they have been running the first months in England: “It’s like we play the Champions League every weekend! I think that's the most attractive thing in the Premier League. And it's about showing my quality. I think I’m doing very well, but I just want the team to succeed.”.

“ We made some mistakes. It's part of football, but we're being punished for every mistake. So in the end, it's our fault as well as a little bad luck. But yes, we have to work this out, and I think if we do, we'll be near the top of the table. That is our goal”, he added.

“Christian Ronaldo is the best ever”

Finally, António Silva lamented that he did not integrate what was Jorge Jesus' first list of summons to the main selection of Portugal: “Of course I wish I had, but I was not summoned. It's hard because I'm trying to do my job here at Bournemouth. I know if I do my best here, if I play right here, I'll be closer to going to the team. So I hope to be present at the next call. I will try my best and then we will see.”.

On the controversial abandonment of Cristiano Ronaldo, who continues to speak, refused to extend: “I wasn’t in the last stage, but the internships I was with him were very good. I grew up watching him play in Real Madrid and then being with him all day in practice was a really good experience. For me, he is the best ever, one of the most influential people in the world and, for Portugal, he is a huge figure. I am very glad that I had the opportunity to play with him and train with him.”.