Jamie Carragher has stated that David Silva is Manchester City’s greatest ever player but that the midfielder could be usurped by Kevin de Bruyne in the future.
The two City stars were influential in City’s 13th consecutive Premier League victory in the 2-1 triumph over West Ham, which saw De Bruyne assist Silva’s 83rd minute winner to help open up an eight point advantage at the top of the Premier League.
Although also describing Silva as one of the Premier League greats, Carragher believes De Bruyne’s form under Pep Guardiola could help him pass the Spaniard if he maintains his level over the next five years.
David Silva celebrates after his winning goal in Manchester City’s 2-1 victory over West Ham
Silva’s volley came following a Kevin de Bruyne assist as City made it 13 straight league wins
‘In Silva, the one disappointment is his age and how long is he going to play in the Premier League because we are talking about a player who goes alongside yourself [Henry], Dennis Bergkamp, Cantona, all these greats that we’ve had in Premier League history,’ Carragher told Sky Sports.
‘He is one of the greatest we’ve had, David Silva. And De Bruyne is going to be another one, no doubt.
‘Now I mentioned City’s greatest ever players, all the City fans may say Colin Bell, I don’t know but in David Silva, he is the greatest City one.
Thierry Henry (left) and Jamie Carragher lavished praise on Silva and De Bruyne after the game
The two influential Manchester City midfielders embrace during the league leaders’ victory
‘I didn’t think I would ever see anyone put on a City shirt who may actually be better than Silva but if De Bruyne keeps playing the way he is playing this season over a four or five year period, he could surpass him. We are seeing two all-time Premier League greats here.’
Fellow TV pundit Thierry Henry also shared Carragher’s sentiments, hinting that he believes Silva could be the best creative midfielder in the Premier League era.
‘I think for me, he is if not the best creative midfielder that we have seen in this league, personally, Henry added.
Carragher believes De Bruyne could go on to become Manchester City’s greatest ever player
Carragher conceded that City fans may regard Colin Bell as the ultimate club legend
‘I didn’t see everybody since the beginning of the history of this league but definitely in the Premier League.
David Silva wants the ball and plays the same way against any team. It doesn’t really matter if he misses a pass and there is another side of the game I really like with him, he defends, he puts his foot in and he never shies away from the ball.
He is brave on the ball and also off the ball. Obviously the quality he has, that speaks to itself but what a player!