David Silva vs Clint Dempsey: Stats Compared
Attacking Midfielder, Spain (born 1986, retired 2023) · Forward, United States (born 1983, retired 2018)
The David Silva–Clint Dempsey comparison is one of those fixtures of footballing folklore. It is in how they played, rather than what they won, that the comparison gets interesting. Across his senior career David Silva notched 124 goals in 771 appearances (0.16 per game), while Clint Dempsey recorded 180 in 550 (0.33 per game). Modern assist data only covers part of their careers, so creativity is hard to compare cleanly — David Silva is listed at 0 and Clint Dempsey at 90 where figures survive. David Silva departs the game with 9 major pieces of silverware, including 1× FIFA World Cup (2010); Clint Dempsey with 2, including 1× MLS Supporters' Shield (2014). David Silva played with a intelligent that made him unmistakable; Clint Dempsey brought a ruthless that was equally his own. Club journeys add another layer, with David Silva reaching his representative peak around 2012 across Valencia, Manchester City, Real Sociedad and Clint Dempsey doing so around 2012 with New England Revolution, Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur, Seattle Sounders. Few pairings invite such entrenched disagreement, and fewer still deserve it this much.
181 words · comparison angle: style
Player profiles
David Josué Jiménez Silva (born 8 January 1986) is a Spanish former professional footballer who played mainly as a central or an attacking midfielder and occasionally as a winger or second striker. Widely regarded as one of the best players of his generation and among the greatest players in Premier League history, he was known for his balance, ball control and agility in close spaces, combined with his skill, composure, passing and flair on the ball. Silva spent seven years of his professional career with Valencia, playing from 2004 to 2010, and won the Copa del Rey in 2008.
“A pocket-sized conductor whose close control and passing gave Manchester City its early rhythm.”
The first American to score in three separate World Cups, Dempsey became the first US-born player to captain a Premier League team and remains one of the country's most decorated forwards.
“A tenacious, technically gifted forward whose late runs into the box and clever improvisation produced some of American soccer's most memorable goals.”
Head-to-head stats
Career goals by season
Representative career seasons — goals per season for each player across their documented clubs.
Attribute radar
Attribute ratings are peak-era, 0–100. Different positions naturally skew the profile.
Attribute comparison
Trophy breakdown
- 1× FIFA World Cup (2010)
- 1× MLS Supporters' Shield (2014)
- 1× MLS Cup (2016)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 2004 Established himself at Valencia
- 2008 Reached his defining peak
- 2012 Delivered a landmark season
- 2023 Retired from professional football
- 2004 Professional debut for New England Revolution
- 2014 Won MLS Supporters' Shield with Seattle Sounders
- 2016 Won MLS Cup with Seattle Sounders
- 2012 Reached the peak of his powers at Fulham
- 2018 Retired after a final spell at Seattle Sounders
- Finished his career with 180 goals in 550 appearances and 2 major honours. Finished his career with 180 goals in 550 appearances and 2 major honours.
The verdict
Taking goals, assists, silverware and overall profile together, David Silva takes it by a decisive margin.
David Silva edges it (a decisive margin)
