One to Watch - David Silva

Name: David Silva

Date of Birth: 8/1/86

Nationality: Spain

Former Clubs: Valencia B, Valencia, Eibar, Celta Vigo

League Appearances (Goals): 247 (38)

International Appearances (Goals): 52 (13)

Stat of the Day: David Silva has created the most scoring chances from open play than any other player in the Premier League

One problem with identifying a player from Manchester City as the One to Watch is that not only do they have a team full of world class starts to pick from, Roberto Mancini`s infuriating rotation policy leaves the much uninformed general public perplexed at predicting who will be granted a starting spot in the Italian`s starting 11 at the weekend. One player that has started all but one game, scored three league goals, provided seven assists and in my opinion is not only the best player in the Manchester City team, but in the Premier League at the moment, is David Silva. Despite the Spanish maestro coming off after 65 minutes against Villarreal midweek with a suspected back injury, he can still be tied to the physio bed and blindfolded and still be regarded as the outstanding performer in this remarkable Man City side.

Having been utilised as a more central figure in the Man City team this season; given the freedom to roam and create at will, the Manchester side are revelling in the diminutive midfielder`s genius touch and ingenuity. I`d heard things about Silva from his time in Spain and having been able to watch the intelligent midfielder week in week out, I can now fully appreciate the football this little genius can play. He makes everything look so simple. If (quite probably when) Silva runs riot at Loftus Road on Saturday, I won`t moan or groan. I will look on in awe and appreciate having a footballer of such ability playing in W12. A sign of how far QPR have come the past few years.

Playing Career

Silva joined Spanish side Valencia at the age of 14 and made his professional debut in 2004 for Second Division side Eibar in 2004 whilst on loan, playing 35 league games and scoring on five occasions. The following season he was loaned out again, this time to Celta de Vigo, where he played 34 times scoring four goals. Silva finished as an undisputed starter as the Galician side reached the UEFA Cup straight from the second-tier.

Silva returned to Valencia in the summer of 2006, becoming an automatic first-choice despite his young age. In two seasons combined, he only missed six matches and netted 14 goals (his first coming in November 2006 in a 1-1 draw at RCD Espanyol). In August 2008, he extended his contract by five years, amidst interest of several Premier League teams. In the 2009/2010 season, Silva scored a career-best eight goals, as Valencia finished in third position and returned to the UEFA Champions League. On 15 April 2010, he scored a brace against Athletic Bilbao for a 2-0 home win, adding three assists in the 4-4 thriller at SV Werder Bremen, for the Europa League's round of 16.

The midfielder signed for Manchester City in 2010 for a fee of £26 million. He quickly adjusted to the demands of English football, with a brilliant individual goal at Blackpool`s Bloomfield Road helping him win City's player of the month award for October. More influential performances saw him scoop the same prize in the following month. The midfield maestro has been ever-present for City this season, and with over 50 appearances and a World Cup winner`s medal for national side Spain, it will only be a matter of years before Silva win`s the coveted Ballon d`Or.

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