Silva is the Premier League great nobody shouts about

Alam Khan - Reporter 01:40 08/05/2017
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  • Even Pep Guardiola is bemused as to how David Silva has won just one Premier League Player of the Month award in seven seasons at Manchester City – and that was way back in September, 2011.

    That campaign, when he helped the Etihad outfit to a first Premier League title, the midfielder also claimed a place in the PFA Team of the Year for the first and only time. By the same token Steven Gerrard – no league title to his name – has been included eight times, Chelsea’s Eden Hazard four and Samir Nasri, Jack Wilshere,

    Nani and Juan Mata have one appearance each. When you consider just how influential Silva has been in making City a force not only in English football, but Europe, and being part of the Spain side that won the European Championships twice and the World Cup, as well as being their fourth-highest scorer with 30 goals, it just seems disappointing and somewhat disrespectful.

    Equally so that no City player has ever been the PFA Player of the Year, although the writers’ prize was shared by Tony Book in 1969. Silva is one of the best players of the Premier League era, no doubt, no debate.

    Guardiola, a fan since his days as Barcelona coach, puts him on par with Andres Iniesta and Xavi, and feels only more goals would have helped him rival Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

    Probably so, but just because he does not have his own PR machine or is not English, is that reason not to reward him with individual honours? Or do we just take his brilliance for granted? He is not a man who covets, nor courts attention off the pitch and generally slopes off quietly to avoid post-match media requests. Shy, but he puts the show in showstopping.

    Silva spots openings in the attacking third that don’t seem possible and every ball drips with class. It is a reminder of Michel Platini in the way the Frenchman used to effortlessly control games for St Etienne, Juventus and Les Bleus.

    Fans, even City legends say Silva is their greatest-ever – a bold statement when you consider the merits of fellow midfielder Colin Bell in his pomp, captain fantastic Vincent Kompany, Yaya Toure or Argentine striker Sergio Aguero, who is closing in as the club’s record scorer.

    A “wizard” is how Kompany described Silva after another magical display in City’s 5-0 rout of Crystal Palace. He only lasted 67 minutes, but was scintillating, spellbinding and left to another standing ovation as he marked the occasion with a 50th club goal.

    Guardiola knows how vital Silva is to his City system and any future success, with a drifting, deeper role providing the link to an attack fuelled by freedom, youth and great movement rather than being restricted to designated roles and areas.

    At 31, this is now the time to elevate himself and the club to the greatest of heights, to gain the PFA prizes and even the Ballon d’Or. City will have to manage him carefully after ankle problems and make sure they have someone ready to step up and step in when he does head back to a possible farewell at Las Palmas when his contract ends in 2019.

    Leroy Sane, who looks like he could play anywhere, could adapt his game to be the chief creator with Raheem Sterling similarly capable of engineering attacks from a central position. But in Kevin De Bruyne, there is already Silva’s heir apparent and someone who still has a “few more gears” according to Kompany, who plays with him for both club and country.

    The Belgian should also be in the frame for more individual honours. He has fallen short of the high standards he has set in this campaign, perhaps looked tired and trying too much under pressure and the weight of expectation, but 15 league assists and five goals is still a decent contribution.

    He looks the complete modern day player and delivering in the biggest games, especially Champions League, will surely see him stand alongside, maybe even surpass, compatriot Hazard in terms of recognition.

    City team-mates and fans appreciate the talents of De Bruyne and Silva, and what joy they bring to the game. So too should others. It is not about egos or emojis, but excellence.

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