David Silva - Player of the Week

Silva strikes gold!

Manchester City's Spanish magician, David Silva, scored twice to help Manchester City to their biggest win of the season, as they crushed Newcastle 5-0 at the Etihad Stadium. Sergio Aguero put City ahead from the penalty spot, before Samir Nasri and Edin Dzeko increased City's lead before half-time. In the second half, Silva scored twice in the space of only two minutes, he scored the first after some great work from Aguero and Nasri, and smashed home his second after Aguero knocked the ball down to him off his chest. After Chelsea's shock 1-1 draw at home to Burnley, City are only five points behind their London rivals.

"When he's 100% fit, Silva always makes a difference." Manuel Pelligrini, Manchester City manager.

What do we know about David Silva?

David Josué Jiménez Silva was born in Arguineguín, on the Spanish island of Gran Canaria, on 8 January 1986. He played as a goalkeeper as a youngster for his very first club, local side UD San Fernando, before becoming a winger. When he was 14, he moved to Valencia in mainland Spain, and later spent six years as a senior player there. He also played on loan at SD Eibar, who are based in the Basque Country, where he made his professional debut, and Celta de Vigo in Galicia, in the north-west of Spain. Silva moved to Manchester City in the summer of 2010

"I enjoyed six years at Valencia. They discovered me as a footballer and they’ll always be a special club for me." David Silva.

Was Silva part of football's best ever team?

David Silva is part of Spain's 'Golden Generation' of footballers. The name is given to the group of players that played between 2008 and 2012, when Spain won two European Championship titles (2008 and 2012) and the World Cup (2010). They became the first ever team to win three successive international titles. Many believe that this Spanish team was the best team ever, and it was the team that gave the world 'Tiki-taka', a short passing style of play. Silva was an important member of the Spanish squad in all of these wins, and also scored one of the goals in the 2012 European Champioship Final against Italy.

"Silva is an incredible player and Spain has also benefitted from Spanish players playing in England." Xabi Alonso, ex-Liverpool and  Spanish international.

What has Silva won with City?

Silva has played a big part in Manchester City's renaissance in recent years and has won all three major domestic honours with City. He has won the Premier League twice (2011/12 and 2013/14), the FA Cup (2011) and the League Cup (2014). He has also been named in the Premier League's team of the season (2010/11) and is the only player to ever win City's Player of the Month award three times in a row (October, November and December 2010).

"David Silva is the best player in the Premier League." Edin Dzeko, Silva's teammate at Manchester City.

How has David Silva's past affected him?

Silva comes from the island of Gran Canaria and grew up playing football on the beach, near his family home. As a child, he was given potatoes and oranges to play football, rather than a ball, and it may be this that improved his amazing close control of the ball. Gran Canaria is a popular destination for tourists and Silva says he was used to talking to foreigners and helping them on the island. He continues to help people today, and is currently helping raise money for PKS, which is a rare genetic disorder that affects children.

"Two English journalists once knocked on the door of my grandmother's house to talk about me. When I called around later in the day, they were sitting there eating her stew and drinking coffee. They couldn't believe it." David Silva.

What do Silva's teammates call him?

David Silva's style of football is often described as magical. His vision and speed of thought and also the tricks he uses, when dribbling the ball past opposition players, is a pleasure to see on the field. His left foot has been described as a wand to unlock defences, so it is probably no surprise that in Manchester they call him Merlin!

What did you understand?

Did you know......?

• David Silva was rejected by Real Madrid when he was 12 years old because they thought he was too small. 
• Silva's village has a population of only 7,000 people but Carlos Valeron, who won 46 caps for Spain, is also from Arguineguín.
• Silva won the Spanish Cup with Valencia in 2008.
• Before 2008, Spain had only ever won one international competition - the European Championships in 1964.
• Silva usually plays as an attacking midfielder, but can also play as a winger or second striker.