Guardiola reiterates the importance of David Silva to the Blues

Pep Guardiola has a number of great players to choose from when he selects his starting line-up, but the City boss has reiterated the importance of David Silva to his team.

All of his last 24 matches have ended in victory for the Blues.

“That’s why he plays every time,” was Guardiola’s response when the successive wins statistic was mentioned at his pre-Cardiff press conference.

“It’s a good record. With David Silva we are a good team. He’s a special guy. When he is able to play, he plays. David is so, so important to our team, but we try to make all the players feel they are important.

“David knows alone he cannot do it. With and without the ball, we know what we have to do.

“David has played a lot of games, has a lot of experience and he has huge personality to play.

“The difference between the top players and the rest is that in difficult games, they make a step forward. David always steps forward.”

Currently Silva is back and forth between Manchester and his home due to his son being born extremely premature. Pep has stated that the Spanish playmaker can have whatever time he needs off as his family come first.

Silva has made 26 appearances this season in all competitions, and found the net 5 times with 8 assists to his name.

Only City colleagues Leroy Sane and Kevin De Bruyne and Man United’s Paul Pogba have more assists than him.

Since joining City in the summer of 2010, the man they call ‘Merlin’ has endeared himself to the City faithful and has also established himself as one of the best midfielders in the Premiership.

Pep has a fondness for midfielders so it comes as no surprise to anyone that he values Silva as a key member of his squad.  His vision and work rate are a joy to watch and he chips in with a goal every now and then too.

When City took on Spurs back in December, David Silva was missing due to flying home to be with his wife and son.

City swept the Londoners aside with relative ease but it was a goal celebration by Kevin De Bruyne that got people talking.

Following his goal he celebrated by holding up two fingers on one hand and one on the other which people interpreted in a number of ways. However, it seemed it was a sign to his team mate that he and his family were in the teams thoughts.

A scenario which was strengthened following the game in Leroy Sane’s tweet from the dressing room.  A picture of the team celebrating and holding up Silva’s number 21 shirt.

https://twitter.com/LeroySane19/status/942117819189202946

City went 15 points clear at the top of the league following their 3-0 victory over West Brom on Wednesday night as they continue their charge for the Premier League crown.  If successful it will be both City and David Silva’s third title.