Following a three-match absence through injury, David Silva arrived back in the nick of time for Manchester Cityโs Gameweek 11 home clash with Spurs last weekend, giving his team a much needed fillip and Fantasy managers a reminder of his sublime talent.
As the game looked to be stuttering to a 1-1 draw it took an 87th minute spark of genius from Silva to win the match, as he brilliantly exchanged passes with substitute Edin Dzeko and his final, killer ball to the Bosnian was duly slammed home. In addition to the assist, Silva also received two Fantasy Premier League (FPL) bonus points for his efforts in turning the game around and accrued a modest but significant seven-point total to herald a welcome top-flight return.
Since his opening day penalty miss at home to Southampton and subsequent 71st minute substitution Silva has struggled to recapture the stunning 2011/12 form that saw him rack up a total of 184 points. With just two assists to his name prior to Gameweek 11 it was clear that injury and fatigue, from a summer helping Spain win Euro 2012, were in danger of scuppering his third season in the English top flight. Two substitute cameos in his first four matches and only 90 minutes on three occasions so far this season have prompted managers to discard him in their droves and has seen his price plummet from 10.0 to just 9.3 in the FPL game. In the Sky Sports game, where no such price market exists, he is still the top priced midfielder at 9.0.
Until Sundayโs return, he had become something of a forgotten man for Fantasy managers, owned by only 4.6% of managers in the FPL game and 6.59% in the Sky game. It is a situation that is set to change over the coming weeks, however, as Silva seems certain for starts and is clearly re-energised from his short lay-off.
Silva also looks to be a key player among the ranks of premium priced midfielders for Gameweek 12, in which Man City host Aston Villa. In comparison to his Spanish countrymen Juan Mata and Santi Cazorla, he has not been selected to endure the international sideโs gruelling 28-hour round trip for an away friendly with Panama and is primed to delight those managers who have recruited him this week.
Following the Aston Villa game though fixtures are not ideal for Man City (che, wig, EVE, MAN, new), but as arguably the key player in a team vying to retain the Premier League title, tricky opponents should not cause too much concern for Silva. His return is not only ideal for City, it also affords the opportunity to shake up our five-man midfields with a bona fide top Fantasy performer for those looking for an alternative to the likes of Mata, Cazorla, Gareth Bale and Eden Hazard in the premium bracket.
