Re: David 'Merlin' Silva appreciation thread
David Silva has done enough in four years to spark a debate amongst Manchester City fans about whether he is the best player in the club's history.
Before Silva arrived from Valencia for £24million in 2010, there was little difference of opinion for supporters old enough to remember City's last glorious era.
Colin Bell probably; Francis Lee or Mike Summerbee possibly.
Now, a team containing Sergio Aguero, Vincent Kompany and Yaya Toure, works best when Silva is pulling the strings.
It was fitting that the little Spaniard from Gran Canaria was sat in the Etihad Stadium stand named in honour of Bell when I asked him if he was aware of the lasting impact he has had on a club that had been starved of success for 35 years until he played a key role in setting up the Toure goal that won the FA Cup in his first season.
"If fans are suggesting I might be the best City player they have seen then of course I am honoured by that," said Silva.
"I have always felt welcome, wanted, appreciated by the supporters at City and that's why I am still here.
"I know this club had great players who are still remembered from the last team that won the title, and we also have great players here today.
"But the important thing for me is playing football as well as I can.
"I am not one to talk very much about what I can do. All I want to do is what I am doing now.
"A lot of people have said I must change off the pitch. That I should do more things and talk more, but I won't because I don't want the attention."
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City's reluctant hero has won two Premier League titles, the FA Cup and the Capital One Cup with City.
During the week, less than 24 hours after City's Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich, he launched the 'New Home for Bailey' campaign.
Silva hopes to help raise £45,000 for two-year-old Bailey Stewart, one of only five people in the UK who suffers from Pallister-Killian Syndrome.
PKS is a genetic disorder that means Bailey needs 24-hour care from mum Claire, dad Glen and five-year-old brother Ethan.
And Silva agreed to help with raising both awareness and cash when he met the Stewart family through his links with Gran Canarian vacation membership company Anfi.
The money will be used to renovate the Stewart family's home in Washington, County Durham.
Bailey's mum, Claire, described Silva as "an angel" at the appeal's launch.
City's fans certainly think Silva was heaven sent - and after recently signing a new five-year contract the Spanish playmaker is confident the medals will continue to pile up.
Asked what City's aims are ahead of today's visit of Chelsea, he said: "To win everything.
David Silva and 2 year old Bailey Stewart who suffers from a condition called Pallister Killian Syndrome
Angel: The Stewarts are grateful for Silva's kindness
"That's always the objective here.
"We won the league and a cup last year, but losing to Wigan in the quarter-final of the FA Cup has stayed in the back of our minds.
"This is a new year and a new season. We have another opportunity to win everything. Every year you get another chance."
With £32million Diego Costa in inspired form, Chelsea have already served notice that they will do what they can to stand in the way of City's grand ambition.
Jose Mourinho's side did the double over the Blues last season, but it was City who finished as champions.
Silva expects another rough ride today. He said: "Chelsea are always difficult because they play a very compact game and are very tactical.
"We have to be ready for how they play and we need to find space and create problems for them.
"I'm not surprised about how well Costa has done. He's a fantastic player and a fantastic goalscorer.
"But the thing about England is that teams get to know your style and they do things to combat you.
"Our games against Chelsea are always very tight, with very few goals.
"Maybe that will change now they have Costa, but the one thing I have learned about the Premier League is whether you win or lose these games, the title is rarely decided until the end of the season."
Silva's insists that his involvement with the 'A New Home for Bailey' Appeal came about because of the family values he learned growing up on Gran Canaria.
He said: "When you see a situation like this, you just have to help. I felt I needed to do what I could. I just had to help.
"I am very much a family man and I can't even imagine how difficult life is for Glen, Claire and the two boys.
"In Gran Canaria you grow up with that mentality. We are very family orientated and, with so many foreigners on the island, we love around people who you only see from time to time.
"We are used to caring for people you don't know very well.
"Two English journalists once knocked on the door of my grandmother's house to talk to her about me.
David Silva
Family man: The Spaniard is keen to live by the values of his homeland
"When I called around later in the day, they were sitting there eating her stew and drinking coffee.
"They couldn't believe it."
The aim is to raise money to cover the cost of things like the installation of a lift and a wet room in the Stewart family home.
But the campaign is also about raising awareness for a condition that is very difficult just to diagnose.
Mrs Stewart said: "We are a very proud and private family, but we got to the point where we have had to ask for help.
"We were really amazed when David offered to help.
"Sometimes there is a tendency in this country to criticise footballers for certain things and ignore the good things that they do.
"It was amazing to have someone of David's profile. He has really taken an interest, getting to know Bailey and learn about his condition.
"He has really wanted to help us - and just putting his name and face to the campaign is absolutely massive because of the profile he has got.
"It's not just about raising money. It's also about raising awareness about PKS because one of the biggest things we have struggled with is just trying to make Bailey socially acceptable.
"For the first year of his life, I wouldn't even take him out of the house because people would stare and point at him. I've had to develop rhino skin."
Her husband added: "We'd rather have people come over and ask about Bailey rather than just point and stare at him.
"He is one of only five people in the country with this condition and we want to tell people about Bailey so that they can understand just how tough life is for him.
"I'm a Newcastle fan, but the support we have been given from David, Man City and Anfi has been absolutely amazing."
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