SPARKLING SILVA MADE US ALL SHINE
Aguero’s tribute to his magical team-mate
AT SOME stage in the coming weeks David Silva will walk from the Etihad field for the final time in a Manchester City shirt accompanied by nothing more than echoing applause from team-mates.
Given the current circumstances, he may not even be allowed a handshake from gracious opponents or a hug from boss Pep Guardiola (pictured with him, above).
Silva, 34, could yet bring down the curtain on his City career as a Champions League winner, the one trophy that has eluded the Spaniard and his club.
But if his send-off is to be a behind-closeddoors fixture at home to Norwich, it is hard to imagine a more low-key celebration for a player who is not only one of the greatest talents the club has seen, but also one of the finest imports in Premier League history.
Sergio Aguero credits Silva with being the spark which ignited City from serial underachievers to serial winners. The club’s record-breaking goalscorer pays fulsome tribute to Silva in a new book – ‘El Mago’ – to be released Thursday.
And in it he insisted there was a “before and after” for City, with the £24m capture of the midfield wizard from Valencia back in 2010 providing the turning point.
“When someone can break past club lines and achieve recognition from the supporters of other teams at a global level, that’s when a legend is born and that is what you are David,” writes
Aguero.
“There has been a before and an after for Manchester City since you were here. For that, and in the name of all of those who are part of this club, you have my endless gratitude.
“You have made us all bigger with your talent. I’ve learned a lot from you, we all do, every single day. You have made assisting your biggest virtue – your drive to share and to bringing the best out of others.”
Silva will leave behind a glittering trail of trophies, including four Premier League titles, five League Cups and two FA Cups. Of all the silverware it was the first FA Cup in 2011 which he himself calls “the turning point for success”, ending, as it did, a 35-year wait for a trophy for long-suffering fans. Silva’s contributions as playmaker that season also helped City finish in third place, which brought Champions League football to the Etihad – the first time in 42 years that the club had reached the top table in Europe. Nothing could be more fitting having started that renaissance than if Silva could cap it with the biggest trophy of the lot this August.
Silva’s relationship with
Aguero will be key if they are to triumph and it would be fitting if the former could provide for the striker four more times in the league, given only Chelsea legends Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba with 24 goals have a more prolific assist-goalscorer relationship than the City pair on 21.
“He is one of the team-mates I see eye to eye with the most to this day,” said the Argentine. “I’d always prefer to play with David on my team but all things come to an end, don’t they? We’ll enjoy every last minute he’s able to play on our side and then we’ll miss him dearly when he’s gone.”
Aguero signed for City in July 2011 and has scored 254 goals in all competitions.
The desire to cap both men’s careers with a Champions League trophy is burning bright at the Etihad but Aguero insisted that if Silva’s example shows anything it is that the team is bigger than any individual.
He added: “When anyone wants to learn what it really means to put the team over the self, that’s where David will be too. That’s your true magic. You’ve empowered the team with it. To assist means to give, to deliver. It illustrates the generosity of those who assist. That’s who you are.”