Fair play: Silva has a good attitude

‘What he has added to his game since then is goals and if we [Spain] end up playing the way Barcelona often play, without a centre-forward and with Lionel Messi in that withdrawn striker position, then he would be the player you would want playing there.’

Silva as Spain’s ‘false nine’ remains plan B for now, with Del Bosque likely to name Torres or Negredo as his orthodox centre-forward against Italy for the 5pm kick-off.

And Mendilibar added: ‘English football has benefited from players like Silva; but we have also benefited because the players are better for the experience. You learn how to do the same things but with less time and space.

‘And when subtlety does not work you also know the direct approach. They come back better players, although Silva was as close to the finished article as is possible when Manchester City signed him.’

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