PEP GUARDIOLA believes David Silva will continue to sparkle for several years to come at Manchester City.
The arrival of namesake Bernardo in May for £43million was expected to mark the beginning of the end of the Spaniard’s City reign.
Yet the midfielder, 31, has once again been a shining light, enjoying another brilliant campaign. Silva has 18 months remaining on his existing contract but is poised to sign another that keeps him at the Etihad until 2020. If he sees that out, it would make a decade of outstanding service. And Guardiola said: “When he can finally sign the contract, we’ll be so happy. 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.”
Silva, who signed from Valencia for £24m in 2010, may be small in stature, but he has a huge heart and character — and that is what has impressed Guardiola most. It is why he barely misses a game and looks certain to be involved against Southampton tonight. His eight assists this season puts him at the top of the Premier League list, while he is 12th in the all-time charts. Guardiola added: “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.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s a friendly game or important game, he’s ready. “I like guys who are strong and want to play, but I like more the guys who are not afraid to play all the time — and with David you have that a lot.”
Guardiola has been a big fan of Silva from afar for many years, but now he works with him he sees qualities he never knew about. He said: “What I like the most about David, being a guy who’s a bit serious in his life, a little bit shy, is how competitive he is.
“And how aggressive, in winning duels, when normally he is a guy more about technique and the pass. “I admire him a lot. He perfectly suits Spanish football but here, with the speed and the weather, the wind and the tough conditions, he has survived for a long time.
“He’s a guy who will play in the important stages and especially during the bad times.
“I put a lot of attention on how players react in bad moments, during the game and in bad situations.
“David is always there. I am not talking about him playing good or bad but he is always there — and that’s so important for the club.”
From The Sun
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