Jamie Carragher has opened up on the reasons he was denied an interview with David Silva during his final months at Manchester City.
The Spaniard spent a decade at the Etihad Stadium and is widely renowned as one of the best Premier League midfielders of all time. He helped City to win four top-flight titles, two FA Cups and five League Cups during his spell in England.
But in 2019, Silva announced he would be departing at the end of his contract, which had just a year to run. Given his stature in the Premier League, Carragher had been keen to do a feature on the then-City star before he left England to join Real Sociedad.
City though denied his request, with Carragher now revealing that his association with Liverpool was the reason the club gave. The former Reds captain slammed City for their "paranoia" as he opened up on what happened.
"City use their resources brilliantly, but it is delusional to expect to be revered by everyone else. Success always brings an element of hostility. And you can’t just expect everyone else to give up the fight of stopping you winning every season," he told The Telegraph.
"Since working in the media, I have experienced City’s paranoia. Over the years I have used my platform on Sky Sports and in this column to show my respect for City managers and players.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Where will Manchester City finish in the Premier League this season? Comment below.
"As recently as last week I wrote De Bruyne could be the Premier League’s greatest midfielder, and said Haaland terrifies defenders. Prior to David Silva’s City departure I wrote how he was one of my favourite ever Premier League players.
"I wanted to interview Silva before he left English football, well aware of City’s belief that their rivals receive more favourable media coverage. When told of my request, City’s response was they would grant no such interview to me because ‘I wear red pom poms’.
"Every ex-player in the media wants their team to win but no other club has reacted to me in this way. Let me repeat what I think of the champions. Manchester City have the best manager in the world, the best striker in the world and are the best team in the world. It is a shame that, despite all the silverware, they have a tin ear for such compliments."
City are back in action in the Premier League on Saturday when they welcome Brighton to the Etihad. They currently sit second in the top-flight, four points adrift of leaders Arsenal after losing to Liverpool in a pulsating clash last week.
If they are able to overhaul the Gunners, Pep Guardiola's men will have won three successive titles for the first time. The defeat at Anfield was their first loss of the campaign, though they have drawn with both Newcastle and Aston Villa.
