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David Silva at 300: Is he Manchester City’s greatest ever player?

As a lifelong Manchester City fan who has experienced the highs and lows of the club and a man never afraid to give his honest opinion, Noel Gallagher is often a good barometer of how a player is regarded at the Etihad.

So when it comes to David Silva, who made his 300th appearance for the club in the victory over Hull on Saturday, what does the former Oasis songwriter have to say of the Spaniard?

“I’d let him have sex with my wife.”

Well, that answers that then.

Sergio Aguero may have scored that goal which won City’s first title in 43 years, Yaya Toure may have been a talismanic figure in midfield, and Vincent Kompany may have been an inspirational captain, but one name of the modern era crops up more often than not when fans are asked who is the club’s best player ever: David Silva.

It is an opinion which is also shared by his fellow professionals.

Speaking after the 3-1 win over Hull City, Pablo Zabaleta told the club’s official website: “I could keep talking about David all day because I love him so much. For me he’s the greatest City player ever.

“I must say he is my favourite player at City, for sure. I love him. I am so lucky to have been playing in the same side as great players, but especially David because he is so good.”

Joining from Valencia in a £24million deal seven years ago, Silva has been an integral factor in arguably the most successful spell of City’s history.

With the Spain international in midfield the club has gone on to win two league titles, two League Cups, the FA Cup and the Community Shield, with Silva contributing 49 goals and 100 assists to date.

Now with Pep Guardiola as manager, the 31-year-old has the perfect boss to get the best out of his talents, and the only regret for the former Barcelona supremo is that he didn’t get to work with the player earlier in his career.

“I remember when I was at Barcelona and the first or second year I was there, Unai Emery was there and after the game he said, ‘David Silva is the player for you, for Barcelona. Believe me, that is a Barcelona player,'” Guardiola said at the weekend.

“And he was so right. He’s a special player.”

He added: “When I say I’m a lucky guy, it’s because I was with Xavi, Iniesta and now with Silva. All three are outstanding players”

Silva may not have the worldwide recognition adorned on the likes of Xavi and Andres Iniesta, but ask anyone in the blue half of Manchester and there is only one Little Magician.


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