Here are the Manchester City morning headlines for Monday, July 27.
City chairman makes gesture to Silva after final game for club
Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak called David Silva after his final Premier League game for the club on Sunday to thank him for all he’d done at the Etihad Stadium.
The Spaniard is set to leave City at the end of the 2020/21 season and made his final Premier League appearance in the 5-0 win over Norwich City on Sunday, bringing to an end a 10-year stint.
City’s players and staff gave Silva a standing ovation as he was substituted off against Norwich and Al Mubarak made sure the playmaker knew how much the club appreciated his contribution by calling him after full-time.
Silva can still help City win their first Champions League title, with Pep Guardiola’s side 2-1 up over Real Madrid in their round of 16 tie after the first leg.
Silva thanks teammates for emotional gesture
Silva thanked his teammates for the way they marked his final Premier League appearance for the club.
The Spaniard was given a standing ovation by the City players and staff as he was substituted off during the club’s win over Norwich.
“I enjoyed the ten years, this was the last one in the Premier League, now we need to focus on the Champions League,” Silva said afterwards.
“[It was] emotional because I've been working with them for ten years, I love all of them because we have a good relationship, and I will miss all of them. Of course [I am proud], I couldn't imagine when I came here to win so many titles and the way we won it. I'm a lucky guy, I have a lot of nice moments and this one as well, a nice one.”
Guardiola picks out highlight in De Bruyne’s performance
City boss Pep Guardiola was quick to highlight Kevin De Bruyne’s second goal in a performance which saw him score twice and match the Premier League assists record for a single season.
De Bruyne was in sparkling form against Norwich, with his contribution highlighted by Guardiola afterwards.
Asked about the quality of the first goal, the City boss said : “The two! The second one is really nice too and I like it. We know the assists and the quality he has but we need his goals too and today he scored two special goals.
“Everyone knew [about the records] from the media and we told him to play simple as you know, don’t be focussed too much and it will come along. He made one assist but could have broken the record easily. Instead he’ll share with Thierry Henry and he played really good.
“With the individual targets when they are focused to achieve something it is good. Athletes always want to be better and always benefit for the team.”
