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.

Lineker’s Surprise at Bellingham’s Comments

Introduction: Former footballer and pundit Gary Lineker expresses disbelief at comments made by Jude Bellingham following the recent Champions League clash between Manchester City and Real Madrid.

The Match Recap:

• Manchester City and Real Madrid drew 1-1 in the second-leg quarter-final tie.
• City lost on penalties after extra time, allowing Real Madrid to advance to the semifinals.

Bellingham’s Remarks Critiqued:

• Lineker highlights Bellingham’s praise for Real Madrid’s tactical freedom under Ancelotti.
• Lineker questions the notion of “freedom” given Real Madrid’s defensive approach resembling that of a less attacking team like Luton.
• Lineker suggests that while Real Madrid defended well, they were fortunate not to lose the game.

Real Lack of Freedom Against City:

• Despite Bellingham’s comments, statistical analysis reveals City’s dominance.
• City had 67% possession, 92% passing accuracy, and 33 shots compared to Real’s 33% possession, 82% passing accuracy, and eight shots.
• The stark contrast in performance suggests Bellingham and Real Madrid had limited freedom on the field, with City dictating play throughout.

Conclusion:

• Lineker’s surprise at Bellingham’s comments stems from the stark reality of City’s dominance over Real Madrid during the match, contradicting Bellingham’s assertion of tactical freedom.

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.