City signs Valencia winger David Silva to a five year deal. The fee is undisclosed.
Silva gives a lot of pace down the left wing which should make the City attack more potent, if that is indeed possible. But how he fits in with Roberto Mancini’s scheme of playing three holding midfielders will be a bit of a mystery. Patrick Vieira, Nigel De Jong, and Gareth Barry have all taken the field at the same time. Then there is Vincent Kompany as an understudy.
So much talent, so little inter-connectivity.
There is a lot of pace and skill on the wings and on top but where is the creative midfielder to connect with all this talent? City’s lack of scoring in the last few Premiership matches cost them a CL spot and one of the problem areas identified was the lack of quality of a Cesc Fabregas or Mesut Oezil type attacking midfielder.
Silva on the Premiership move:
“The time is right for me to seek a new challenge, and I am thrilled about playing in England with Manchester City. I believe the Premier League is one of the best competitions in the world and I want to bring success to City and win trophies for them.”
Roberto Mancini:
“I think that David Silva is one of the best midfielders in Europe, and I hope he will be a very important player for Manchester City.”
Silva is at the World Cup but he did not cover himself with glory in the first match against Switzerland which resulted in a loss. The Valencia winger looked out of sorts and was ineffectual with his crosses and finish.
In one memorable moment with the goal at his mercy he shanked his shot wide. The reaction of his team mates was one of disbelief and and disgust. Vicente Del Bosque pulled him in the subsequent matches.