Certainly, Zinchenko had the opportunity to both play alongside and train with the esteemed Spanish midfielder at the Etihad Stadium. The current Arsenal defender asserted in August of the previous year that David Silva, the retired maestro, stood out as the best player he had ever shared the field with. The Ukrainian player acknowledged feeling “fortunate” to have experienced playing with someone of David Silva’s caliber, emphasizing the midfielder’s exceptional ability to comprehend the game at an elevated level.

Zinchenko and Silva, as teammates, clinched the Premier League titles for the 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 seasons, along with the FA Cup and two Carabao Cup triumphs. Given his role as a left-back, the 27-year-old had the unique opportunity to be on the same side as the World Cup winner, who was strategically positioned as a left-sided midfielder by manager Pep Guardiola. When asked about his Premier League dream teammate, Vitaliy Mykolenko disclosed that Zinchenko consistently praised David Silva, describing him as the smartest and most technically adept player. “Second one, David Silva. [Oleksandr] Zinchenko said about him he’s the smartest player. Technical, smart,” Mykolenko shared in an interview with Sky Sports.

Leighton Baines, a legendary figure at Goodison Park, was the first choice of the Everton defender when asked about his preferred Premier League icon. In December, Unai Emery expressed his desire to have David Silva on his current Aston Villa team when given the opportunity to select any player from past Premier League icons. It comes as no surprise that David Silva has left a lasting impact on teammates, players, and managers throughout the football community. His prowess on the field was not only mesmerizing for spectators but also appeared to be a valuable lesson in football every time he graced the pitch, particularly during his stints with Manchester City and Valencia.

Manchester City is pursuing their fourth consecutive Premier League title this season, but pundit Danny Murphy suggests that Arsenal or Liverpool could thwart their dominance. The 2023/24 title race is intensifying, with City’s recent win over Brentford narrowing the gap to just two points among the top three teams.

Erling Haaland secured the lone goal in the game at the Etihad Stadium, marking a more satisfying evening for him compared to the previous match against Chelsea. The title race may go down to the wire this season, with City, Arsenal, and Liverpool emerging as strong contenders.

Despite being the bookies’ favorites, City has shown defensive vulnerabilities this season. Players like Ruben Dias, Manuel Akanji, Kyle Walker, and Ederson have not performed as well as last season, and new signing Josko Gvardiol is adapting to English football in his debut season. City has conceded 26 goals in the league, two more than Liverpool and four more than Arsenal.

Danny Murphy points out that City’s defensive frailties provide hope for Arsenal and Liverpool. According to Murphy, a notable change in City’s system has made them more vulnerable this season. Last season, they often deployed a full-back in midfield to create an extra midfielder. However, this season, the tweak involves a central defender, either Akanji or Stones, moving into midfield from a central position, making them more susceptible.

Former City manager Stuart Pearce also suggests that the high defensive line could be exploited by other teams. City’s defensive struggles this season are evident, and adjustments are needed to regain the solidity they displayed in the second half of the previous season.

Gary Lineker praises the “exceptionally brilliant” Phil Foden following Manchester City’s victory over Copenhagen. Despite earning £225,000 per week (according to Sport Rac), Foden’s impact extended beyond his goal in the 92nd minute when he converted Kevin De Bruyne’s cut-back.

While acknowledging the team’s solid, if unspectacular, performance against Copenhagen, Lineker specifically commends Foden for his outstanding contribution. Rio Ferdinand also highlights Foden as Manchester City’s standout player throughout the season, emphasizing his importance to the team.

Lineker describes Foden as “outrageously brilliant,” a sentiment echoed by Ferdinand, who notes Foden’s consistent excellence on the field. Foden’s versatility is highlighted, with his adeptness in both traditional right-wing and central positions causing problems for Copenhagen. His technical prowess, intelligent passing, and quick thinking make him a constant threat, earning him accolades from Lineker for being a joy to watch.