Pep Guardiola insists David Silva will decide his Manchester City future
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has said that David Silva will decide whether he wants to remain with the Premier League champions beyond the summer of 2020. The 33-year-old has been with the Citizens for the past eight-and-a-half years and during his period, he has transformed into one of the club’s greatest players.
Speaking in a press conference, Guardiola was asked whether Silva would be offered a new contract with his existing deal expiring in 17 months’ time. In response, the Catalan tactician revealed that any decision over the same may have to be made by the player himself as he approaches the twilight of his professional career.
He said: “In this kind of case, it depends on the player. For me, if he is fit and his performances are the same as this season, I’m more than delighted [for Silva to stay]. It’s not easy to find around the world [a player like that]. But I think they have to decide for themselves. At that age, your mind controls your legs and your desire and willing to stay. It depends on him.”
“Silva’s future has been a regular discussion point over the past year“and reports have linked him with a probable return to native Gran Canaria where he has the ambition of featuring for Las Palmas. As such,the veteran’s career with the Citizens could be restricted until June 2020 and the club will be “hoping to utilise“ the Spaniard’s ability to the fullest.
The former Valencia man has been in fine form for the Citizens during the ongoing campaign and he is currently on course to experience his best-ever scoring season with the club. The attacker has bagged nine goals this term which is just three less than the tally from the 2014/15 campaign. Silva could feature from the off when Manchester City face Everton on the road in midweek.