The news that all Man City fans were dreading has finally arrived, as City legend David Silva announced that the 2019/20 season will be his last in sky blue.
City have already lost club captain Vincent Kompany this summer, but you could argue that losing Silva next summer could be an even bigger blow.
The Spaniard has so far made 395 appearances for City, winning ten major trophies including four Premier League titles, four League Cups and two FA Cups.
So, who should Pep Guardiola's side target to replace Silva in the long-term?
We asked Football Manager 2019 to draw up some candidates.
David Silva replacements
To find replacements for Silva, we need to use Football Manager 2019's 'similar players' function, which can be found by going on the the relevant player profile and using the comparison tab, under the compare with option.
The game then selects a few of the player' best attributes and uses the database to search the world for players who have similar values for these attributes, thus allowing us to see similar players.
Normally, your search is restricted by the strength of your scouting team, but we've used the in-game editor to unlock all the players in the search, so that we can provide the seven best realistic long-term replacements.
Current ability: 179/200
Potential ability: 179/200
Age: 33
Best attributes: Passing (19), technique (19), balance (19), first touch (19), vision (19), flair (19), dribbling (18), off the ball (18), decisions (18), agility (17), composure (17).
As you can see from Silva's profile, he has some great attributes.
In the player search, we specified that the player would need to be able to play in central midfield or attacking midfield, with attributes of at least:
Passing - 16
Vision - 16
Technique - 16
Flair - 16
Dribbling - 15
Using this search, here are the seven players who have similar attributes to Silva, according to Football Manager 2019.
Sergio Canales - Real Betis
Current ability: 143//200
Potential ability: 152/200
Age: 28
When he broke into Real Santander's first team at the age of just 17 years of age, Real Madrid quickly snapped him up as he was one of Spain's most promising midfielders.
However, Canales sustained no fewer than three anterior cruciate ligament injuries over the next nine years, stalling his career.
Now though, Canales is back to his best, after showing some terrific form in the last few seasons at Real Sociedad and Real Betis.
This form led to Canales getting called up to the Spanish national team earlier this year.
The now 28-year-old is an extremely creative midfielder, with a wand of a left foot. Sound familiar?
Although he's some way off Silva's ability, he does have very similar attributes.
Isco - Real Madrid
Current ability: 169/200
Potential ability: 180/200
Age: 27
Isco is one of the best creative midfielders in the world and has won multiple Champions Leagues, international tournaments and a league title too.
The Spaniard fell out of favour at Real Madrid last season, after some under whelming performances, but his quality is undeniable.
Nabil Fekir - Lyon
Current ability: 155/200
Potential ability: 161/200
Age: 25
Fekir's performances over the last few seasons have seen him linked with some of the biggest clubs in Europe, with his infamous non-move to Liverpool last summer the closest he's come to leaving Lyon so far.
The left-footed midfielder has similar attributes to Silva, but is more of a goal scoring midfielder than outright creator.
Still, he wouldn't be a bad option to have in your squad.
Martin Odegaard - Real Madrid
Current ability: 115/200
Potential ability: -8 (160/200)
Age: 20
Like Canales, Odegaard was a geniune left-footed midfield wonderkid, making his league debut for Stromsgodset at just 15 years old.
And, like Canales, Real Madrid snapped him up very quickly.
Numerous loan moves followed, the latest being with Dutch side Vitesse last season.
The now 20-year-old scored 11 goals and registered 12 assists in what was a very impressive season.
Still very raw, but Odegaard has great potential and would thrive under Guardiola.
Hakim Ziyech - Ajax
Current ability: 150/200
Potential ability: 155/200
Age: 26
Ziyech caught the eye with his performances for Ajax in 2018/19, leading them on a magnificent Champions League run and an Eredivisie title.
The Morocco international scored 19 goals and laid on a further 16 goals for his teammates last season, in what was a wonderful individual campaign.
Yet another creative, left-footed attacking midfielder to add to the list of Silva replacements, who shares a number of attributes with the Spaniard.
Bernardo Silva - Man City
Current ability: 166/200
Potential ability: 170/200
Age: 24
Bernardo Silva, Man City's 2018/19 Player of the Year, looks tailor made to replace David Silva in the long-term at City.
The 24-year-old shares a number of attributes with his Spanish namesake, with added work rate and stamina.
One of the best midfielders in the world on current form.
Phil Foden - Man City
Current ability: 135/200
Potential ability: 175/200
Age: 19
Another current Man City star, Foden has the potential to replace David Silva in the long-term and shares a number of attributes with his City teammate.
The 19-year-old has a long way to go to reach the Spanish midfielder's level, but as he showed with his performances in the back half of 2018/19, Foden could be ready to push for a regular first team place next season.
Over the next 12 months, if Foden continues to improve and work with David Silva on a daily basis, there's no reason why he can't replace him in the long-term.
