David Silva has dismissed speculation linking him with a move to Barcelona, insisting he is focussed only on life at Manchester City.
The Spanish international has been plying his trade at the Etihad Stadium since 2010, and although he didn’t come cheap, he has proving to be worth every penny of his £25million transfer fee having played a key role in City’s Premier League success of 2012, their FA Cup triumph the previous campaign, and the League Cup win this season.
Silva is sure to be an integral part of the push to regain the title from neighbours United this term, with the Blues currently six points behind leaders Chelsea with three games in hand. The UEFA Champions League is no longer an option, though, following defeat to Barcelona in the last-16. And to rub salt into the wounds of the Manchester club, it has been reported that the Camp Nou giants are keen to sign their star playmaker in the summer.
However, speaking ahead of the big derby clash on Tuesday evening, the former Valencia ace has played down speculation linking him with a move to Catalonia. Instead, the 28-year-old, who remains under contract at City until the end of the 2016-17 campaign, insists he remains fully focussed on helping his current side add to their honours list.
“I am flattered with the reports linking me to Barcelona, but it is just rumour,” Silva, who has scored six goals and assisted 14 in 32 competition matches for City this season, is quoted as saying in the Independent. “I am very used to rumours ever summer. (My ambition is) to regain the Premier League and win the European Cup with Manchester City.”
Manuel Pellegrini, just like all his counterparts in the title race, has been quick to play down City’s chances of becoming champions this season. However, Pablo Zabaleta acknowledges that the Blues have a great chance of taking the crown, and he is hopeful that, unlike two years ago, they can do so without having to rely on goal difference.
“Hopefully, it won’t be the same as last time we won the title because it is going to be difficult,” said the Argentine defender. “But as I have said before, we just need to keep focussed on what we are doing now. We need to try and win every game but everything is in our hands. We don’t have an excuse now. We only have Premier League games and we have time to recover well between the games. We have belief to win this title.”
