The two players transformed Manchester City into serial winners but will be remembered very differently
“Sign Silva first, I will come.” In the summer of 2010, so the story goes, Manchester City’s chief executive Garry Cook was trying to pull off two of the biggest deals in the club’s history. But there was a problem. Yaya Touré was on the verge of joining, but wanted to make sure City signed David Silva first. The Valencia man’s response? “Sign Yaya first, I will come.”
They both did and the rest – at least, as of Sunday evening – is history. As Silva took his leave from the Etihad Stadium pitch after his final appearance in English football, the absence of a crowd barely detracted from the warmth of his reception: not just the affection of his teammates and coaches, but weeks and months of tributes and superlatives from the wider game.
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Nobody describes Touré as a genius or a magician, pays tribute to his humility or sophistication
Related: David Silva reflects on Manchester City career beyond his 'wildest dreams'
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