David Silva issues warning to top-four rivals
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.David Silva has warned Manchester City's top-four rivals there is much more to come from the Blues.
City closed to within seven points of leaders United thanks to their 1-0 win over Wigan on Saturday.
Now they can forget about their pursuit of a Champions League place for a couple of weeks as they attempt to secure a passage into the Europa League quarter-finals by beating Dynamo Kiev and reach their first FA Cup semi-final in 30 years by overcoming Reading next Sunday.
It is not a bad position for a club who always appear to be on the brink of a crisis, the latest coming because of Kolo Toure's failed drugs test.
And Silva is confident City are only taking the first steps on the path to glory.
"There is a lot more to come," said the Spain international.
"It is difficult because it has been a lot of people's first season here. It is hard to gel and come together as a unit in that short space of time.
"But we have proved we are becoming more of a proper side and the more we play together the better we will become."
Silva certainly has no intention of choosing which competition he would prefer to win. Given the squad that will be at Roberto Mancini's disposal when everyone is fit, the former Valencia man sees no reason to.
"Let's hope we can get both," he said.
"We are in a good league position now and still alive in the two cup competitions.
"Let's hope we can keep doing this and stay in the top four and at least guarantee the Champions League next season."
Like most of his team-mates, Silva has been given a couple of days off to recharge his batteries after an arduous few weeks ahead of the flight to the Ukraine.
It means there will be more focus on Toure, who must decide whether to have his B sample tested, or merely put together a defence of mitigation against the drugs test that could land him with a two-year ban.
Although it is not certain Toure will be at Carrington, manager Mancini has made it clear the Ivorian would be welcome at training.
City officials have clarified the situation and have been informed there is no reason for Toure not to attend.
Whether the 29-year-old actually takes up the offer depends upon other factors, including the potential for meetings with his legal team.
However, Toure's attendance at Eastlands on Saturday is seen as a good sign at a time when the player's mental state has been described as "not good" by Mancini.
"It is a bad moment for him," added the City boss.
"Kolo is a fantastic man and a fantastic player. He doesn't deserve to have this problem," added Mancini, who confirmed he had not spoken to Yaya Toure before selecting him to play against Wigan.
"This problem is not only for Yaya because it is his brother. It is for all of us."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments