It’s the end of an era at Manchester City with David Silva leaving to join Real Sociedad on a Bosman free transfer this summer. Of course, the big question is whether Phil Foden can now step up and fill the void left by the diminutive Spaniard.
Foden a Silva Replacement: Their 2019/20 seasons in numbers
We can see here Silva is more of a playmaker. The chances he creates are larger in both quantity and quality. Unsurprisingly, this is resulting in more than twice as many assists per 90 as Foden.
However, could this be due to Foden being more of a goalscoring midfielder? His 3.44 shots per 90 is better than most Premier League attackers. Perhaps the difference between them will be a stylistic one rather than of quality.
Foden a Silva Replacement: Phil is more a goalscorer than creator?
You can see an example of this in City’s 4-0 win over Liverpool at the Etihad back in July. Foden isn’t looking to create a chance for someone else. Instead, he is attacking the space behind Robertson himself to get into the box and score.
Coupled with the signing of Ferran Torres, who is more a creator than a scorer, the dynamic of who creates and who scores could switch in the future for Manchester City’s wingers and midfielders.
To see David Silva’s career numbers and read about his transfer to Sociedad, click here.
To read about Ferrán Torres at Valencia and his transfer to City, click here.
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