For just a moment, I'd like to see the field as David Silva must see it. Surely, it is not players standing or running, as I see it. Perhaps it is more like shadings or colors, as primary and secondary corridors open and close, cascading upon each other. Maybe it's an aural experience filled with harmonics and dissonance.
When David Silva is on, it is as though he enjoys another dimension within which to work the ball, caressing it at his feet, prodding it on a short quick pass, and snapping it on a longer pass or shot. If we are brutally honest, and David Silva demands no less, it is a beautiful game, not because of Huddersfield vs Fulham, but because of the handful of David Silvas in the game at a given moment.
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A lovely article that articulates brilliantly just how special Merlin is to Manchester City. He has been the greatest attacking midfielder in the league consistently since his arrival and the fact that player of the year, team of the year and Ballon D'or shortlists have ignored him probably says more about those organisations than about the player himself.
For me he is a greater player than Cantona and some of the others you mentioned, but to each their own.
I think it will be a very long time before our league sees the likes of him again. But he still has two years left on his City deal after this season, so it is far from over for him yet.
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Where do I begin. . .? What Daniel Silva is to
writing, David Silva is to soccer. These are two men
I could not admire more. But this is a piece about
David Silva, and I -- and a clique of millions -- know
that he is the wind beneath and behind Manchester
City's wings. Is he too young for a Nobel of Football?
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Enjoyable read. Thank you.
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He is as efficient as Kross but receives less attention, which is exactly what he prefers. I look forward to tomorrow's match.
As a City supporter since the 90s, he is the greatest Bluesman ever. They should all be like El Mago. I would say the same if he played for United, Liverpool or Fulham.
Could not agree more. I'm not a City fan but Silva's massive influence on the games he plays in is undeniable. I've been a football fan for years and he is up there with the very best passers of the ball I've ever seen.
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I lived in Manchester for a few years. My favorite 2 players from the Reds & Blues were Juan Mata & David Silva.
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Spaniards both. And small quick players.
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I was born a Manchester City fan and I’ve lived through some cold, lonely years when City has been relegated. I’ve watched more matches than I can count where City has been beat in a way that can only be described as “Typical City.”
BUT. When David Silva is on the field, I don’t worry about the bad old days. Since I saw him all those years ago and for the first time, I have felt that he has brought something special to the team. Magic, you might say.
Last year, when his son was born prematurely, people in Manchester were genuinely concerned on behalf of David, his wife, and baby Matteo. He is a well-loved figure, and I keep hoping time will slow down so he can continue to play.
And yet, despite the fact that the journalists who write about him, or the fans who talk about him, he has never been awarded a big individual honour. He’s not a showboater. He doesn’t throw tantrums or dive. So when it comes time to name the best 100 footballers currently playing, Silva is never ranked higher than 20, which is ridiculous.
Thank you for writing about David Silva. He will forever be “the magician.”
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A fine article. It's been a great privilege to watch him and I'd put him ahead of the players who are generally quoted as the best midfield players of the Premiership era (Scholes, Gerrard, Lampard). He is the elite tier occupied by Javi, Iniesta and Pirlo - players who dictated the shape of the game in the majority of their appearances.
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@Jephsonite Well said. I could not agree more.
A class act in every sense of the word, and a player for others to emulate in more ways than one. Neymar, are you listening?
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Despite being an ardent Liverpool fan watching Silva play is like watching poetry in motion. There is no ostentation. No showboating. He is so slight in build you wonder how he stays on his feet. He seems to glide past other players. His passing is sublime and can open up an opposing team like a scalpel. Tomorrow when City take on Liverpool I can only hope his game is a little off. But then the joy of watching him play would be diminished. Our dilemmas should all be so sweet.
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