Silva: 'I feel better and better at Samp'

Adrien Silva revealed he spoke to Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes about moving to Sampdoria and admitted he feels ‘better and better’ in Liguria.

The 31-year-old moved to Sampdoria on a free transfer from Leicester in October and has played nine Serie A matches so far, helping the Blucerchiati to sit 11th after 14 games.

The Portuguese midfielder has revealed he feels ‘better and better’ with every day and is close to returning to his best form.

“Physically, I feel better and better,” Silva told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “I’m playing more consistently, and I just missed this to return to my level.

“I’m close to my best but for the environment, on and off the pitch, every day is getting better and better.

“The same goes for my family, with those little things that are needed to feel good.”

Silva said a ‘combination of several factors’ convinced him to move to the Blucerchiati and said the Portuguese stars who knew Italy helped him too.

“I think it was a combination of several factors,” he said. “Not only for the coach, even if one of my priorities was to find a club whose coach was enthusiastic about me and convinced that I could add something to the team.

“The history at Leicester belongs in the past. Before saying yes to Sampdoria, I spoke to Bruno Fernandes, Bruno Alves and Miguel Veloso.

“All three know this country well, they explained how competitive Serie A is. It was what I needed to return to a high level and be ready for the international team.”

Silva has no doubts about his own personal targets.

“I have always wanted to set myself new goals and therefore I want to do well in Serie A,” he added. “It has surprised me with the intensity and competitiveness.

“I have to fully understand the idea of [coach Claudio] Ranieri, but I think I can add another quality.”