ABU DHABI // Al Jazira have refuted reports linking them with Mikael Silvestre, the Arsenal defender, saying he does not feature in their plans for the new Pro League season. It had been claimed in United Kingdom media that the former France international full-back was set to pen a lucrative free transfer move to the Abu Dhabi club, who are looking to strengthen following three consecutive second-place finishes in the Pro League.
The Jazira hierarchy did welcome the former Manchester United player to the club during his visit he made to the UAE while he was sidelined through injury last season. However, their intention was to tap into the knowledge of a player who has won 40 international caps and played for three of the biggest clubs in Europe, rather than with a view to recruiting him for the new campaign. "Contrary to reports in the British press, we have not made an offer for Mikael Silvestre to come to the club, and we are not going to," Phil Anderton, the chief executive of Jazira, said yesterday. "Mikael is a superb individual, professionally and in terms of attitude and aptitude, but we have our plans in place for this season and [Silvestre] doesn't fit with those.
"It was great to meet with him [when Silvestre visited the club earlier this year] to get his thoughts on how to take the club forward. "He has played for Inter Milan, Manchester United, Arsenal, and is a former French international, so to get his thoughts on how to move forward in terms of everything from recruitment policy, to the academy, to sport science and medicine was great." Silvestre, 32, is expected to leave Arsenal this summer as Arsene Wenger, the manager, looks to rebuild his defence.
He was said to be considering an offer from CSKA Moscow when his head was turned towards the UAE by Fabio Cannavaro's decision to join Al Ahli, the Dubai club. However, his destination will not be Jazira. He does not feature on the list of targets of Abel Braga, the coach of the current Etisalat Cup holders, whose priorities lie closer to home, at least for now. "There are great local players in the UAE and we have fantastic pathways to go all the way through, not just to the Jazira team but all the way to the UAE national team," Anderton said.
"It makes sense for us economically to invest in that talent. What is the point spending ?10-15 million (Dh45.5-68m) on [one overseas star]? "It makes much more sense economically to spend that money on a group of players who can serve your club, and play in the first team for 10 years, players who have an affinity with the club because they were brought up with the club. "We are not saying foreign players don't have a role to play, but they have to be the right kind of foreign player.
"They have to have the ability on the playing side that is going to supersede the ability of a local player. "Every time you select a foreign player you are essentially blocking the path of a young player to come through. Equally importantly, they need to have the right kind of attitude. That has to wear off on the younger players." @Email:pradley@thenational.ae
