Pep Guardiola confirms David Silva as the new Manchester City captain
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed that David Silva has been voted as the new club captain by the first-team squad. The Spanish midfielder has already confirmed that he would be leaving the Citizens at the end of the ongoing campaign but he has still been handed with the captain’s armband, given he is the most experienced player within the club’s ranks following the departure of Vincent Kompany.
Speaking to reporters, Guardiola acknowledged that Silva has been chosen as the new skipper of the team following a meeting with the first-team squad. He added that the 33-year-old perfectly fits the bill, given he has the experience of the Premier League after serving more than a decade for the club, he said: “David Silva will be our captain. The captain has to be what he is. David has been here a decade, he knows the club and the Premier League.”
Meanwhile, midfielder Ilkay Gundogan recently penned a fresh four-year contract with the club after an extended period of speculation. When asked about the same, Guardiola said that he is pleased to have the services of the Germany international for the next four years, he continued: “I spoke once with him and said I’d be delighted if he stayed because he is a player that is so difficult to find in Europe in terms of personality and different positions. All I can say is thank you to him and the club for the effort to keep him with us for the next four years.”
The Mancunian giants start their Premier League campaign with an away trip to West Ham United. Guardiola has a nearly fit squad to choose from for the encounter, but he would certainly miss the quality of Leroy Sane, who has been sidelined until March with a serious knee injury picked up during the Community Shield clash against Liverpool.