Manchester City: Kevin De Bruyne void falls on David Silva

Manchester City is waiting to hear some most unfortunate news about Kevin De Bruyne. Until his return, the void must be filled by David Silva.

Manchester City have yet to drop any points. It is the perfect start to Pep Guardiola’s career in England and one that can definitely be built upon going forward. The copious amounts of talent are plain to see for the Citizens.

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However, one rather crucial player is like going to be missing – Kevin De Bruyne. If there was one injury that could sufficiently dent this sky blue attack, it is this one. They have already shown that Aguero can be coped for with Iheanacho and they have enough wide attackers to stock three teams.

But as far as creative midfielders go, De Bruyne was the man. He has contributed to six goals thus far in the season (two goals, four assists). He’s creating more chances per appearance than anyone else on the team. Not only that, but he has played the second most minutes on the team.

The Belgian has become the centerpiece of this Manchester City attack and will leave a creative vacuum when he leaves.

That vacuum has to be filled. There are options, obviously, and the mantle will most likely fall to Ilkay Gundogan, the new arrival from Borussia Dortmund. But that doesn’t mean it falls on him to fill the void. Gundogan cannot do what De Bruyne does. He is a different kind of midfielder, a box-to-box as opposed to an attacking midfielder.

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The void needs to be filled by a man that is already there – David Silva.

Ever since De Bruyne came to town, Silva’s production has begun to head south. It is likely down to his increasing age as well. Whatever the case, Silva went from 12 goals and seven assists to two goals and 11 assists when De Bruyne arrived. It’s not the biggest step down, especially considering the lapse in game time, but his influence visibly dropped and this season is following suit.

This year, De Bruyne’s two goals and four assists greatly overshadow Silva’s mere one assist.

Silva has to step up in the event that the Belgian is out for a significant period. He has to reassume the dominant creative role in the Citizen midfield like he used to because if not him, then who? Somebody has to coordinate that attack and feed the ball to the three speedy forwards.

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Silva can play the part. He’s done it before. There is no reason why this De Bruyne injury needs to turn anything sour for Manchester City.

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