Carlos Tevez charged with driving while disqualified and without insurance
Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez has been charged with driving while disqualified and without insurance, police said.
The footballer was arrested near his home in Alderley Edge, Cheshire, last Thursday.
He answered bail at Cheshire Police's custody suite in Middlewich on Wednesday where he was formally charged.
Tevez was further bailed to appear at Macclesfield Magistrates' Court on April 3.
In a statement, the force said: "Cheshire Constabulary has charged a 29-year-old man from Alderley Edge with offences of driving while disqualified and driving without insurance.
"The man was arrested on the A538 in Macclesfield at 5.13pm on Thursday, March 7, and later released on police bail.
"He answered bail today at Middlewich Custody Suite and was formally charged.
"He will appear at Macclesfield Magistrates' Court on April 3."
Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez happy to stay, says Brian Marwood
Manchester City's football administration officer Brian Marwood has no concerns about Carlos Tevez's contract situation and says talks will continue at the end of the season about extending his deal.
The striker's contract expires in the summer of 2014 and City manager Roberto Mancini has previously expressed doubts about his long-term future.
Reports have suggested City could sell the Argentine this summer to avoid him leaving for nothing 12 months later, but Marwood has assured fans there is no reason to worry.
Marwood feels Tevez is now enjoying life at the club and insists there have been no offers for a player who has in the past expressed a desire to return to South America.
"Everyone knows Carlos only has a year left on his contract but he has been fantastic for Manchester City, his scoring record, his tenacity, his energy," Marwood said in the Daily Star.
"I think he is in a good place at the moment. Roberto Mancini has talked about extending Tevez's contract and these conversations will continue in the summer.
"We have had no offers and Carlos is happy at the club. Discussions will take place at the end of the season in terms of his future at City."
Tevez scored a hat-trick to lead Man City to a 5-0 victory over Barnsley in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Saturday but Mancini admitted after the match that he did not know what sort of commitment to expect from the player beyond the summer.
Kolo Toure is also "feeling good" at Manchester City
Kolo Toure has admitted that he is feeling "very good" at Premier League champions Manchester City.
The Ivory Coast international, who is out of contract at the end of the season, has been linked with a new short-term deal at the Etihad Stadium following a recent run in the side.
"I feel very good at the moment," the 31-year-old told the club's official website. "I've had the chance recently to play more and I'm really enjoying being able to give my best for my team.
"Everyone around me and all my teammates have helped me a lot, and that's very important."
Toure has made 14 appearances in all competitions for City this season.
Manchester City and Arsenal to bid for Fiorentina hitman
Emerging reports suggest that English giants Manchester City and Arsenal will each make an offer for Fiorentina striker Stevan Jovetic come summer.
The Daily Express have claimed that the Premier League duo are amenable to meeting the Stadio Artemio Franchi outfit’s believed asking price of €35 million.
The Montenegro international has been the subject of increasing transfer speculation throughout the course of the current campaign and has been linked with a score of potential suitors.
Jovetic has tallied 12 goals and four assists in 23 Serie A appearances this season.
Jack Rodwell eyes Manchester City return
MANCHESTER CITY midfielder Jack Rodwell hopes to be back from his latest injury setback by the end of the month.
Rodwell pulled up with the latest in a long line of hamstring problems in the first half of last week’s Premier League win at Aston Villa.
The 22-year-old had been making just his second start since returning from a three-month lay-off in January.
Rodwell said: “Obviously you don’t want to tempt fate but I’m not looking at this as a lengthy absence and I hope to be back in a couple of weeks.
“Hopefully I can play my part in the run-in and help us win some silverware and end what has been a frustrating season on a high.”
The highly-rated Rodwell joined the champions in a £12million deal from Everton last summer but his City career is yet to take off.
His initial performances were indifferent and he then had a short spell out with a groin injury before being struck by more hamstring trouble in October.
Rodwell’s early years at Goodison Park were also plagued by hamstring injuries.
He has since worked hard on his fitness and made a number of lifestyle changes to try to eradicate the recurring problem.
He insists he is not disheartened by this latest setback.
He said: “This is an injury that can strike at any time to anyone and I’m sure it is something that I’ll be rid of before too long, but it’s an ongoing process and something that can’t be rushed.” Liverpool Echo
Man City: 5 Reasons Why Marouane Fellaini Is a Perfect Signing
I remember Philippe Albert with such fondness. Perhaps, it was the way he wore a mustache. Maybe it was the way he wore a mullet. Or perhaps, it was that, despite being a centre back, he was perfectly capable of doing this to Peter Schmeichel. It was probably the hair to be fair.
Albert was the first of what is now a large contingent of Belgians in the Premier League, the hairiest of which is Marouane Fellaini, who, over the last few seasons, has risen to be one of the Premier League's most sought after players.
One of the clubs currently sniffing around is Manchester City, who found out to their cost in December just how dangerous the midfielder can be, opening the scoring in a 1-1 draw at the Etihad to put an early dent into what is now a 12-point deficit on Manchester United's league lead.
This weekend, Man City travel to Everton, and once again, will Roberto Mancini will be jotting his whiteboard in anticipation of dealing with Everton's most dangerous threat. Here are five reasons why next year, when City travel to Goodison Park, they should do so with Fellaini in their ranks.
Size
Standing at 6'4" (1.94m), Fellaini is a big ol' boy.
And he uses his height well, whether challenging for long balls in the middle of the park, winning a 50-50 tackle or flicking-on and nodding down when he's playing off the striker. And like with Yaya Touré, his size does not diminish his technique.
Then there's the goals—11 of them this season in 23 games, five of those from his forehead; some of them sledgehammered from his brow, some so deftly flicked that you could be forgiven that it was Art Garfunkel getting across his marker, rather than our man Marouane.
Not only that, but he's almost single-handedly bringing the chest trap into vogue, bringing down crosses from the heavens on his chest most folk would barely dream of heading.
This skill set would be an asset to any team, but why Man City in particular?
The biggest reason is defending, especially from set pieces. Last season, Man City conceded a higher proportion of set-piece goals of any team in the Premier League. (via OptaJoe). And Man City don't concede many at all, so this issue is definitely a cause for concern for them.
Unusually, Man City defend zonally, which demands that each defender must be accountable for a key area inside the penalty box. Having an extra couple of inches in height and breadth can be the difference between a clearance and a goal—only five other players won more headers than Fellaini per game this season. (via thinkfootball.co.uk)
If you look around City's side, particularly in attack, they're a small side. You wouldn't ask Agüero, Tevez or Silva to help fetch you something from the top shelf.
But creating space in and around the goal for these players is paramount, and so Fellaini could join the Džekos and Tourés of this world to distract and attract, leaving pockets for the more petite players to do their thing.
Size matters, no matter who has been telling you otherwise.
Fellaini's Ambition to Prove Himself at the Highest Level
Fellaini has made no secret of his ambitions to join a club in the Champions League (via Goal.com). With the start that Everton got this year in the league, they might have got there themselves as they did in 2005. But poor form, combined with the recent ascent of Tottenham and Liverpool, has prompted club captain Phil Neville to say at the weekend:
"The Champions League place is in the distance, a European [Europa League] place, we would take that now." (via The Telegraph)
A barrage of abuse from the Everton fans followed Fellaini's own poor performance against Wigan, which was a direct reason for him cancelling a signing session at the club store on Monday, according to The Telegraph.
A player who is actively seeking to play for your club is a dream situation for City.
Having never played in the Champions League, the Belgian would be chomping at the bit to perform and impress, exactly the kind of attitude that would have served the Manchester club in their last two disastrous Champions League campaigns.
Fellaini Is Already Used to the Premier League
Man City have made a few expensive mistakes in recent memory in the transfer market, most notably Jo and Robinho. Talented? Yes. Hell, Robinho even how he played lived up the hype in patches. But could either of them hack the pace, aggression and intensity of the Premier League long-term and justify their salaries to City's boardroom? Nope.
Fellaini has honed his talents in the league for the last four-and-a-half seasons and has excelled. It was people like Marouane that Robinho feared, indeed he is one of the most aggressive players out there.
He is at an excellent age, 25, with experience behind him, but also, young enough to have a long-standing impact upon the side.
And adapting to life in Manchester would be easy; because he, um, already lives in Manchester!
“I am living in Manchester now, because in Liverpool, the women were crawling for me," Fellaini said. “It was too much." (via Goal.com)
Perhaps he could move back to Liverpool, when the Mancs start "crawling" for him. Or perhaps not.
"Price?
Why would that make Fellaini a perfect signing for Man City? They don't care about spending money- they're richer than Rockefeller," I hear you say.
Whilst that is completely true—Sheikh Mansour's brother actually owns the Chrysler building (via The Mirror)—but those pesky (and imminent) financial fair-play regulations means that City are going to have to keep an eye on their outgoings.
Not that Fellaini would come for pennies, with his release clause reportedly around £23 million, according to The Telegraph. But genuine class in central midfield costs a lot more these days: Javi Martínez to Bayern Munich, Axel Witsel to Zenit St Petersburg and Luka Modrić to Real Madrid all cost £32 million each.
Combine that with the fact that City will be paying a premium both for the fact they are buying from another English club (and just the fact that they are Manchester City), and suddenly, Marouane is looking like a bargain.
Another factor still, Everton boss David Moyes recently expressed an interest in re-signing Joleon Lescott.
If Joleon wanted to come back - if I thought we needed him - I'd be delighted to have him back. If he was available he'd be someone I'd maybe show an interest in. (via Sky Sports)
In a part-exchange deal, re-couping some of Lescott's transfer fee ahead of his contract expiring at the end of next season would suit Man City too, not to mention getting his £90,000 a week wages off the books.
Perfect, ay?
[youtube]Kur5sS3EWQs[/youtube]
Fitting in
Fellaini is funny. Deal with it. And his tackling aside, he seems like a nice bloke.
But gelling with your teammates off the field is often vital to how you perform on it. Fellaini already has friends at the club—his would-be captain is a compatriot and friend Vincent Kompany, with which he already has a rapport with.
The atmosphere at the club looks buoyant, and the facilities are certainly enticing for Fellaini. The Man City YouTube Channel is the best official club channel around for both laughs and genuine insights into the club, going behind the scenes at training and matches, which is something all the players embrace.
Yes the Harlem Shake is getting tiresome, but City's effort isn't half bad (on the YouTube Channel), and watching Joe Hart (black Spiderman on the right) losing it will raise a smile. Imagine if you stick Fellaini's hair on any/all of them...suddenly that's comedy gold.
At this moment, the above atmosphere seems worlds away from refusing to even live in and around the city in which Fellaini currently plays or refusing to go to a signing trip in the club shop. A transfer beckons—my money would be on the Belgian's best choice being Manchester City.
Carlos Tevez and Samir Nasri may leave as Manchester City plan clear-out
• Up to 11 players could leave City at end of season • Futures of Gareth Barry and Edin Dzeko also in doubt
Manchester City will embark on a clear-out of players at the end of the season. Carlos Tevez, Gareth Barry, Edin Dzeko and Samir Nasri head a group of 11 whose futures are in doubt, with Roberto Mancini determined not to repeat last summer's mistakes in the transfer market.
The manager believes that the club's inability to recruit the players he identified towards the end of last season proved a major factor in the dismal Champions League campaign, which ended with City bottom of their qualifying group, and for a faltering title defence that has them trailing Manchester United by 12 points.
Along with Mancini, Ferran Soriano and Txiki Begiristain, the new chief executive and director of football, will decide who will leave. At the weekend Barry admitted the squad are aware that Soriano and Begiristain were going to scrutinise "the players they want to go with" in the future.
While Barry, Tevez, and Joleon Lescott all have a year remaining on their deals in the summer, Kolo Touré, Roque Santa Cruz and Wayne Bridge will all be out of contract then and are certain to depart. There are also doubts over Mancini's desire to persevere with Nasri, Dzeko, Maicon, and Scott Sinclair, due to uneven form, and John Guidetti, whose injury problems have made it difficult for him to force a way into the manager's plans.
Regarding his future and that of Tevez and Lescott, Barry said: "They are the sort of conversations the lads have now and again. We've got the rest of this season and then one more year, and there have been changes upstairs. Everyone is pretty relaxed because they will take time to have a look at things, the way they are going to go in the future, and the players are pretty comfortable with that too. So as individuals we need to work hard when we get the chance."
Last summer, Mancini identified Robin van Persie, Eden Hazard, Daniele De Rossi, Javi Martínez and Daniel Agger as his prime choices but City missed out on all of them. While they would have cost around £138m, Mancini had to settle for Jack Rodwell, Javi García, Matija Nastasic, Sinclair and Maicon who – Rodwell apart – were all signed on the final day of the August window for just £38m.
While all five of Mancini's first-choice targets would have been expected to play in his strongest XI, of the quintet who did join only Nastasic has become an automatic starter.
For this failure Mancini blamed Brian Marwood, Begiristain's predecessor. Last August the Italian said: "After four months, I don't know what to say. You need to ask Brian Marwood. I am not the sporting director. I can't say anything about players."
Mancini was asked directly if he was content with Marwood determining the club's overall policy. "I am not happy – but I don't know what to say," he said.
Ahead of making any fresh signings once the summer window opens, City will be conscious of the need to heed Uefa's financial fair play strictures though, having sold Mario Balotelli already in January, the club has recouped £20m plus taken his £170,000 weekly salary off the books.
PETER REID believes Everton will struggle to maintain their impressive streak against Manchester City.
David Moyes’ side have lost only two of their last 11 meetings with the Premier League Champions, and were good value for their draw at the Etihad stadium earlier this season.
But former Everton title-winner Reid, who has also played for and managed the Citizens, believes the fall-out from the Toffees’ disastrous FA Cup defeat by Wigan last Saturday will undermine their usual bogey-team hold over Roberto Mancini’s outfit
He said: “I think it will be difficult for Everton. I think City will win, I’ve got to say that. I am doing the match for Premier League TV.
“After their disappointment in the FA Cup Everton will want to bounce back and certainly City were very impressive. I always think they are at their best when Tevez and Aguero are together.
“They haven’t given up on the Premier League, I think Manchester United are too far ahead personally but City will keep going so it is a tough game for Everton.
“I can’t remember getting teams who were a bogey side in my day but certainly Everton always seem to do well against City. I was at the corresponding game last year and it was tough again.
“Everton are a really good side but they seem to struggle against the top sides except City.
“David Moyes has done ever so well there and he is tactically very good but I do think City are favourites.
“I think they are two fantastic clubs. I was fortunate enough to play for Everton and to play for and manage City.”
Reid, who won 13 England cups during his successful career at a string clubs, is concerned about the question marks over Moyes’ Goodison future.
“It’s not written in stone that he’s going,” said Reid when asked about the Scot’s future. “It’s a question for David. He is waiting and hasn’t signed a deal. Ten years he’s done a great job.
“Does he want to stay? I don’t know. Bill Kenwright and him have a good relationship.”
[spoiler]
[/spoiler]Paris Saint-Germain could step up their interest in Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney, 27, if Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 31, joins Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich in the summer. Daily Mirror
Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski, 24, is keeping a close eye on Rooney's situation and would love a move to Old Trafford. Sun
Swansea manager Michael Laudrup fears defender Ashley Williams, 28, could be tempted by Arsenal at the end of the season. Daily Mirror
Liverpool have been encouraged to renew their interest in Paris Saint-Germain striker Kevin Gameiro. Brendan Rodgers enquired about the French forward, 25, in January. DSSC
Cameroon defender Nicolas N'koulou, 22, who has been linked with a move to Arsenal, is set to leave Marseille this summer. Sky Sports
Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling, 18, could be set for a loan move to the Championship with either Cardiff City or Bolton Wanderers. Metro
Reading's players do not want former Swindon manager Paolo Di Canio to take over as Brian McDermott's replacement at the Madejski Stadium. DSSC
Brazilian authorities face a race against time to complete the rebuilding of the Maracana if the iconic stadium is to be ready to host a friendly between Brazil and England on 2 June. Independent
Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez has joked that the club's fans may even blame him for the Blues' fixture pile-up. Guardian
Barcelona's director of football Andoni Zubizarreta has confirmed manager Tito Vilanova, who has been undergoing treatment for throat cancer, will remain the club's manager next season. Marca
Fifa President Sepp Blatter has told of his opposition to the decision to host the 2020 European Championships in several countries, saying it will rob the tournament of its "heart and soul". Kicker
Along with Real Madrid and Barcelona, Malaga's qualification for the quarter-finals of the Champions League means that Spain have three teams in the last eight for the first time in a decade. Marca
Real Madrid and Spain keeper Iker Casillas has returned to training after fracturing a hand in late January. El Pais
Zenit St Petersburg coach Luciano Spalletti has pledged his future to the club, despite rumours that he is about to move on. "I want to make it absolutely clear that I will not leave even if we are eliminated from Basel," Spalletti said ahead of the Europa league match against the Swiss club who lead the tie 2-0 from the first leg. Tuttosport
Tottenham goalkepeer Brad Friedel has revealed one of the reasons why he is still going strong at 41 - his mother, Sue, continues to teach sport at a school in the USA at 70 years of age "and has no signs of wanting to stop". Daily Express
Former Liverpool defender Djimi Traore, 33, did not manage a single league goal in his entire career in Europe but scored one of the goals of the season for MLS side Seattle Sounders. 606 newsletter
A group of ticketless Galatasaray fans were caught trying to dig their way into Schalke's Veltins Arena ahead of Tuesday's Champions League match. Guardian
GOLDEN BOLLOX 14-3-2010
OFFICIAL MCFC.CO.UK BOLLOX ROUND UP
Football’s old adage that managers should stick to football and not comment on the boardroom may be outdated but sometimes could save the odd boss from issuing statements that are wide of the mark.
Ahead of today’s trip to the Stadium of Light Black Cats chief Steve Bruce has been pontificating on the commitment of our owners.
“We are very fortunate here with what the owner has done,” he told Clive Hetherington in the Star on Sunday talking about the conversion of loans into shares by owner Elliott Short. “He has proved he’s not just here for the short-term.
“What if the Arabs one day pull out of City who have not had the muscle of Manchester United in the past?
“I think for our club the owner has given us better security.”
What Steve? Better than turning all loans into equity and signing a long-term agreement with the local council to develop land in East Manchester?
More homework required methinks. You could try memorising this from mcfc.co.uk!
“Manchester City also confirmed that subsequent to the end of the financial year, it has restructured its Balance Sheet with owner Sheikh Mansour converting all of his existing £304.9m shareholder loans made to the Club into equity. Sheikh Mansour has also purchased further shares to a value of £89.6m as a measure of his long term commitment to the Club.”
The rest of the day’s news surrounds the usual transfer speculation ahead of the window opening again in the summer.
In no particular order of significance or ridicule here is what’s foretold for the Blues:
Simon Mullock in the Sunday Mirror reckons that Liverpool will be interested in signing Stephen Ireland claiming the player has suffered a ‘wretched dip in form’.
Coming the other way could, according to an assortment of scribes, Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard.
In the Star on Sunday, this time via Paul Hetherington, Gerrard will apprantly be a target for Real Madrid this summer but ‘even a hint that Gerrard could be prised away from Anfield would see the Spanish giants face fierce competition from the Premier League’s richest club – Manchester City’
The News of the World’s Chris Bascombe and the Mail on Sunday’s Joe Bernstein both mention the Blues in connection with a move instead for Fernando Torres.
‘There is an enduring fear it’s too late to keep him (Torres) amid interest from Chelsea, Manchester City and Barcelona,’ writes Bascombe.
‘The only consolation if he goes is the hope that the £80million he raises will be ploughed back into the squad rather than used to pay off more debt’
Finally, according to the Star and The People we are preparing a GBP50m raid on Real Madrid midfielder Fernando Gago and striker Gonzalo Higuain both names that have been attached to City before while the Observer reckons that more likely on their way to the City of Manchester Stadium are Benfica's free kick specialist Oscar Cardozo and Sampdoria youngster Andrea Poli.
Steve Bruce: Man City will NEVER overtake United
Former Old Trafford hero Steve Bruce has taunted his old Manchester City adversaries ahead of today’s clash with his Sunderland side by insisting: “You’ll never overtake Manchester United.”
Bruce believes that despite owner Sheikh Manour’s billions City are destined to to always play second fiddle to their great Manchester rivals.
The Sunderland boss said: “They are trying to get into the top four, but they never will get close to Manchester United. Money just doesn’t buy you that.
“City have always lived in the shadows of United.
BACON WANTS BOTH OF EVERTON'S PRODIGIES
MANCHESTER UNITED are pushing closer to a £20million move for Everton star Jack Rodwell.
And Alex Ferguson wants to do the double on Everton by taking Dan Gosling to Old Trafford in the summer with him.
Both players scored in the recent 3-1 victory against the champions at Goodison Park.
United want to unveil Chris Smalling, Rodwell and ex-Plymouth youngster Gosling as part of their new generation of stars for next season but are fully focused on adding the finishing touches to defender Rodwell's transfer as a priority.
Although United remain the first choice for the player and his representatives, Ferguson is all too aware that discussions between Rodwell's team, fellow title favourites Chelsea and noisy neighbours Manchester City are still in progress.
There is also some reluctance from David Moyes to part with another of the club's biggest stars after watching former Toffees striker Wayne Rooney set the Premiership and Champions League alight for the Reds.
One option being tentatively discussed that will ease Moyes' decision involves the Merseysiders picking up an initial £8m fee for the player, followed by two further payments of £5m once Rodwell reaches certain appearance benchmarks for United.
That would then be followed by a final instalment of £2m once he completes a full appearance for the England national side.
In such a case, however, Everton would insist on receiving a large proportion of the initial fee upfront rather than factoring the cost over more than one season.
It is believed that Moyes wants to use any cash raised in the deal to fund a move for Stephen Ireland.
The Everton boss has been a huge admirer of the Manchester City man for a long time as he could ease much of the midfield goal-scoring burden placed on Tim Cahill.
Shut it, Shaun!
Roberto Mancini tells Wright-Phillips it's time to focus on playing for Manchester City, not money
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has told Shaun Wright-Phillips to stop talking about his desire for a new contract and concentrate on earning one on the pitch.
City's England midfielder Wright-Phillips has complained in recent weeks about what he sees as the club's reluctance to give him an extension to a £60,000-a-week contract that still has more than two years to run.
He has accused City of showing little desire to keep him and is clearly irritated that players brought in since the Abu Dhabi takeover of August 2008 earn substantially more than him.
Shut up Shaun and play: Mancini's message to Wright-Phiilips
His father Ian Wright waded into the argument last week, accusing the club of treating Wright-Phillips like a 'youth team player' and the City hierarchy of 'mugging him off'.
Clearly overlooking the fact that his form this season has barely warranted the money he earns, Wright-Phillips claims his complaints are not financially-driven. But Mancini has little sympathy.
The City manager said: 'Shaun is an important player for us and I'm happy he scored a goal for England recently. But it is important that he plays very well for this team and that there are no problems. Right now, the important thing is the next game. We have an important target and when we reach that target then we can talk about contracts. If a player speaks with me it's much better for the club. For example, I have no problem with Shaun but it's always in the newspapers that there are problems.
'Shaun has never spoken with me. I am happy with Shaun because he always gives 100 per cent but I would prefer sometimes if the player speaks to me.'
With Mancini far from certain to be at the club next season, the issue of Wright-Phillips' contract may not be his problem. But with City due at Sunderland in the Barclays Premier League on Saturday, the Italian knows that he needs another win to follow up the shock victory at Chelsea two weeks ago if he is to cement a push for fourth place.
'That win was important for the squad because after that game we can understand that we can beat any team,' he said.
'But it's important we play with concentration. If we play 100 per cent with a good attitude and confidence we can beat all the teams - Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool.'
GOLDEN WAG
[spoiler]
[/spoiler]GOLDEN TWITCH
Redknapp wary of City threat
Tottenham Hotspur boss Harry Redknapp reckons Manchester City are the team to beat when it comes to the race for fourth place.
Spurs are battling it out for fourth with City, Liverpool and Aston Villa and Redknapp sees Roberto Mancini's fifth-placed City side - level on points with Spurs with a game in hand - as the biggest threat.
Redknapp said: "We're right in there and have got a great chance. Manchester City are the team to watch out for."
STAT BOLLOX
David Silva is still the central creative force for Manchester City
Manchester City haven’t performed anywhere near to the levels and standards they set last season. Some of their players have really under-performed but none of their players have really come out as an outstanding star of the season.
David Silva was one of their star performers last season. However the Spaniard hasn’t been able to influence the game more as expected. He has scored only three goals this term and provided seven assists in the league, less than Steven Gerrard, Wayne Rooney, Theo Walcott and Juan Mata.
But he is still one of the most creative players in the league and the central driving force for his side. He has taken 43 shots on goal, less than all the other above mentioned names. In terms of key passes (80), he stands out as the best of the lot. Gerrard comes close with 74 key passes for Liverpool.
In terms of average passes per game, Silva (58.4) stands second behind Gerrard (66), but one has to understand that the Liverpool skipper plays deeper in central midfield than the Spaniard and therefore gets to make more passes than him.
In terms of distributions, Silva has a better through balls and crossing rates than Rooney, Mata and Walcott. Therefore, we can conclude, though Silva hasn’t had more assists and goals, than he would have expected, but his overall performance suggest, he is still the central creative cog in Manchester City’s machine.
