Man City legend David Silva
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Guardiola hails ‘incredible, intelligent’ David Silva ahead of 400th Man City outing

Pep Guardiola has lavished praise on ‘incredible’ David Silva as the Spaniard prepares to make his 400th appearance for Manchester City this weekend.

The 33-year-old has announced he will call time on his glittering Man City career at the end of the season, having won four league titles amongst a host of honours since arriving from Valencia in 2010.

In what will be his final season, the midfielder is in line to make his 400th appearance for the club during this weekend’s trip to Bournemouth, and ahead of the landmark Guardiola has hailed Silva as ‘one of the best’.

“He has an incredible character, the feeling of a competition, of being a winner,” Guardiola said at his pre-match press conference.

“What I admire the most is the records and for you to do 400 games is many bad moments, many good moments, you can have a good year, but almost 10 seasons at the club is special. It’s a privilege what he has done with this club, and the last season he can help us achieve.

“He is one of the most incredible, intelligent players in the small spaces. He is one of the best I’ve ever known.

“It’s not just the quality, he’s a huge competitor in the training matches.

“The Premier League is not easy, and he did it. He must be so proud.”

Despite his diminutive stature, Silva is regarded as one of the finest midfielders in Premier League history, with Guardiola admitting he has been surprised by how the City star adapted to life in English football.

“He is a technical player. My image from English football – maybe he will suffer here [England]. But I was happily, happily wrong.

“After I spoke with managers he had in Spain, they spoke good. I realised that when I came here. He’s incredible. A winner.”

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