Manchester City midfielder Fabian Delph has thanked playmaker David
Silva for comforting him during his struggles with injury over the past
two seasons.
Delph joined City from Aston Villa in 2015 as an England starter, but
his career at the Etihad Stadium has been dogged by fitness issues.
Hamstring and Achilles woes laid him low last season before groin
surgery sidelined the 27-year-old for four months this time around,
leaving him well down the pecking order in Pep Guardiola's squad.
But Delph made a surprising return to City's starting line-up for the
first time in the Premier League this season and completed 90 minutes
in Wednesday's 2-1 defeat to Chelsea.
Silva turned in a typically impressive display for the visitors and
Delph hailed the man capped 111 times by Spain for helping him through
the tough times.
"I'm quite close with David," he told City TV. "When I signed two
years ago… as you know it's not been as good as I'd want it to be, but
he's always been one of those guys who's comforted me when I've had
injuries or niggles.
"He's always been so positive with me, telling me what he thinks of me.
"On a personal level, for someone of his calibre – such an amazing
player, an amazing guy – to put his arm around you and help your
confidence, it's been absolutely fantastic to me."
Silva is set to make his 300th appearance for City, who he joined
from Valencia in 2010, when Guardiola's men host Hull City on Saturday
and Delph believes the mercurial 31-year-old has plenty left to give.
"On a football level, he's an amazing player and I wouldn't be
surprised if he played another 300 games because he seems to be getting
sharper, he's looking great," he said.
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