The summer of 2010 saw Manchester City bring in a world-class player in David Silva. The then 24-year old midfielder was starring for Valencia and had the potential to rule the midfield in any league. City went on to snap up the rising star and seven years down the line he is perhaps the most influential buy by the club since the Arab takeover, alongside Sergio Aguero. City has won the league title twice since and several other domestic trophies and Silva has played a pivotal role across every team that has taken the pitch at the Etihad.
Now, even at the age of 31, Silva’s influence on the team is far from diminishing and he continues to orchestrate that midfield with great finesse and guile. Together with Kevin De Bruyne, Silva has created opportunities to score goals for City’s forward line. A return of 57 goals in around 20 matches will give some idea about the kind of attacking football that has been on display at City this season.
He has excelled under all managers and continued to perform regardless of the team’s form. On the rare days where Silva has fallen short, City have in fact looked out of ideas, such is their dependence on the magical Spaniard to create chances. It is now being considered that Silva’s best is yet to come as he is finally playing under a manager who can exploit Silva’s potential to the maximum.
31, although slightly high, is not the worst age for a midfielder whose game revolves around passing and deft touch football. Moreover, at Pep’s City, they focus on holding the ball for long periods, a playing style that suits Silva’s game ideally.
After a lot of dilemma in the last few months over signing a new deal with the current league leaders, the Spanish ace has finally agreed to sign a new deal, which ties him down at the Etihad Stadium till 2020.
Pep regards his compatriot midfielder very highly and wants his star man to lead the Manchester City side in the future as well.
Guardiola was reported saying, “Like Yaya Toure, like Joe Hart, like Vincent Kompany, and Pablo Zabaleta was, and many other players, he’s a real legend for this club.
“What he’s done for the club will be written in the history books in the future. I hope he’ll continue for the next few years.”
He went on to add, “He looks skinny and like he doesn’t run too much, but he’s never injured and every three days he’s fit, he’s there.
