OPINION
West Ham United were handed a massive boost on Friday ahead of their clash with Manchester City on Saturday when Pep Guardiola confirmed that midfielder Bernardo Silva wasn’t available for the game.
The Portugal international picked up an injury on international duty and the City boss told the Manchester Evening News that he would play no part at the London Stadium.
Silva’s absence is terrific news for the Hammers, who will no doubt be delighted that they don’t have to face the diminutive 24-year-old on Saturday.
Silva is in the midst of a sensational season at the Etihad Stadium. He was pretty good in his debut campaign in Manchester, but he has taken his game to a whole new level this term with a series of phenomenal performances for Guardiola’s side.
He’s netted five goals and grabbed four assists in all competitions to help City to a sublime start to the season. He has emerged as a key cog in the team’s midfield, grabbing the creative reins alongside his namesake David Silva.
Kevin De Bruyne’s injury earlier this campaign gave Silva, on a reported £120,000-per-week [Source: Spotrac], the chance to prove his worth as a weekly starter in this brilliant City team.
He has responded by making big impacts in big games. He has scored against Arsenal and away to Shakhtar Donetsk, while providing assists twice against Manchester United and once against Chelsea in the Community Shield.
He has arguably been City’s player of the season so far, so for him to miss this West Ham clash is a huge blessing for the Hammers.
Manuel Pellegrini will be looking for his players to take advantage with an industrious, stifling performance. It might be worth telling Declan Rice to man-mark David Silva, in a bid to rein in City’s creative urges.
This was going to be a hugely difficult game for West Ham with or without Silva in the City line up, but they could start dreaming of a shock upset after this piece of news, that’s for sure.
