David Silva backs Pellegrini to continue on as Man City boss

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini

Manchester City playmaker David Silva has stressed ahead of Monday’s crucial clash with Arsenal that he and his teammates are “very happy” with manager Manuel Pellegrini and focusing only on the present.

Pep Guardiola is again being heavily linked with City after announcing that he is to leave Bayern Munich when his contract expires at the end of the season.

Pellegrini insisted last week such talk did not bother him and Silva claims the players will not be affected.

The Spaniard said: “We are all very happy with Manuel and it is not something we look at. We look at the day today and not what is going to happen in the summer.”

City — who won the Premier League and Capital One Cup under Pellegrini in 2014, but nothing last season — are currently third in the table, one behind second-placed Arsenal.

Monday’s game could prove critical to the title race and although Silva has emphasised the contest will not “define” anything at this stage, he has no doubt Arsenal have “everything they need” and — along with surprise package Leicester — are City’s “direct rivals.”

The 29-year-old has also expressed his admiration for Arsene Wenger’s dynamic side, and admits if City do not win the league, he would be happy to see the Gunners take the title.

“You always feel more attracted to people who play the way you play,” said Silva.

“If we don’t win it and Arsenal win it, it will be good. But we are here to win it ourselves.”

Silva, a City player since 2010, has won every major English club and international honour in his career but says his motivation is as strong as ever.

“For me it is not difficult [to be motivated] because I want to win, win and win,” he said.

“I don’t know what happens with other players or what is in their heads, but for me — just win.

“One day this will all end. And the day I feel I don’t want to win any more will be the day I finish.”

The ex-Valencia man has expressed his desire to play for his native Las Palmas in Gran Canaria at some stage, and is not fearful about the prospect of retirement — but is keen to stress he is focused on seeing out the remaining four years of his City contract.

“I do not look at the end of my career with any fear,” Silva said.

“I have been away from home for many years. Of course, I am looking forward to spending time with my friends and family, but there are more years still to go. I am very happy here and want to see my contract through. Then we’ll see.”

City could be boosted by the return of Sergio Aguero at the Emirates Stadium, and Silva himself has been “getting the rhythm” back after returning from an ankle injury lay-off at the end of November.

He has had plenty of ankle problems in recent years and had to play through the pain before, but says it is not on his mind when he takes to the pitch.

Silva said: “At the moment they are fine. In the past there have been games where I have played and had to have an injection.

“Two years ago when we won the league, I played for months with pain and having to have injections. But it is something you have to do for the team and the club.

“Clearly I have to look after them because both of them have been damaged over the years by football.

“But when you get on the pitch, there is no insurance that you might or might not get injured. So when I play, I don’t think about that.”

Information source:todayng

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