Manuel Pellegrini believes David Silva can offer Manchester City a different way of playing when he returns from injury against Southampton this weekend.
City have been plagued with injuries as of late, and the return of their Spanish playmaker will provide a huge boost as they seek to continue their title challenge.
Pellegrini highlighted how Silva’s influence is crucial to City’s attack, and that this quality will be needed in the unpredictable Premier League.
“It’s important to have David back – he is a very important player, the same as Kun. It’s very difficult to replace him,” the Chilean manager said.
“You never know which team will win in the Premier League – Liverpool came here and beat us but before that they lost to Crystal Palace and then Palace lost to Sunderland.
“David gives us a different way of playing – [David] is the player with the most accurate passes in the final third.”
Silva’s return is timely given how City have won only one of their last four Premier League matches.
Eighth place Southampton are sure to prove another tough test for the Citizens, especially as Pellegrini’s side have won only two of six matches against top-10 opponents this season.
City are unbeaten in their last four games against the Saints however, winning the last three and scoring nine goals in the process.
At the Etihad City have been especially dominant, and Southampton have suffered five successive defeats at the stadium in all competitions.
City will still be without several first team players however, as Vincent Kompany, Pablo Zabaleta, Eliaquim Mangala and Samir Nasri remain out.
Pellegrini’s side also picked up another injury in midweek against Juventus when Joe Hart had to come off late on with a muscle injury.
The English goalkeeper will be out for around 10 days, which means Willy Caballero will start in goal, but Pellegrini has no concerns about placing his trust in the Argentine.
“Fortunately it’s not a very serious injury for Joe but it’s important for him to recover well – we’ll see in the coming days how bad it is,” Pellegrini revealed.
“I never complain about injuries as I trust a lot in Willy Caballero – I’m sure he will have a good performance.
“Maybe Willy made a mistake against Spurs but every goalkeeper makes mistakes – Joe did against Norwich.”
Image courtesy of Manchester City FC via YouTube, with thanks.
