The curious case of David Silva — In slight comparison with Juan Mata.

Manchester City only managed to beat Manchester United 10 times in the 26-year reign of Sir Alex Ferguson. However, the losses Ferguson faced have often been brutal. The 5-1 in 1989, 4-1 in the first game at what is now the Etihad Stadium, 3-1 in the final fixture at Maine Road, 2-1 in the week of the 50th anniversary of the Munich air disaster and 1-0 to effectively hand City their first title in 44 years last year.
The 2011, 6-1 win was the worst defeat Manchester United faced. The performance was as virtuoso as the result was seismic; central to it all was the dynamism of David Silva. It confirmed his status, in autumn 2011, as the best player in the Premier League.
David Silva played an enormous role in the first two goals scored by Mario Balotelli, combining with James Milner to prove devastating. To sweeten things off, he himself struck late in the second half — Placing the ball between the De Gea’s leg with ease after flying off from the right flank.
But the special moment came from the Spainiard when he set up the last goal for City scored by Dzeko. A 40-yard waited through-ball which ripped open United’s last line of defense. That assist still remains as one of the best in the Premier League.
It was a performance which not only defined City’s dominance but also enhanced Silva’s reputation to the extreme, which perhaps still remains.
On his day, Silva is an artist creating what has never been seen before. A player, worthy of praise for setting up the tone of play for entire 90 minutes and beyond. However, these days have been few and far between for him.
It is difficult to remember anything noteworthy, momentous or outstanding that Silva has done since the talismanic performance the autumn before last. He barely yielded anything up to the caliber of the 6-1 game; instead, his overall command and influence on the game started declining as Roberto Mancini era ground to a standstill.
Juan Mata has been a central figure for Chelsea since he arrived at the club and slowly the team started depending on him more and more as is his ability to influence the play. To speak of his talent, there is no question that Juan Mata is/has been the best attacking midfielder in the Premier League let alone Chelsea for the past two years.
If we look at the statistically aspect of the game:

Juan Mata – 69 games. 18 goals. 25 assists. 347 crosses.

David Silva – 103 games. 14 goals. 30 assists. 354 crosses.

Perhaps, statistics aren’t always the basis of a comparison but they are essential to be stated and the difference seen above is enormous; despite Silva having a year more experience in the English football than Juan Mata.
Juan Mata was twice Chelsea’s player of the year in two years, in contrast David Silva got the award only once in three years. In addition, Juan Mata was also the fans player of the year last year.
Moving on..
There is no argument that David Silva is the most high profile Spaniard in the Premier League; 74 caps at international level, 20 goals, two European Championship winning medals, and a World Cup triumph. Indeed impressive figures. Compared to Juan Mata, who has only played 28 games for the international side thus far and still managing impressive 8 goals.
His (Silva’s) absence from deliberations over the flawed PFA Player of the Year nominations were revealing. Is he even the best Spanish footballer in England anymore? During last season his output lagged far behind that of his countrymen Juan Mata and Santi Cazorla — Not to mention the fact that Silva has better English league experience than both.
Despite domestics setbacks, he has been preferred and included in the Spanish international side over Juan Mata and Santi Cazorla. Some argue the case of how Spain play and David Silva fits their philosophy better — Each to his own thought. The country has such an abundance of riches that rotation is inevitable, whilst history also dictates a fluctuation in his national selection.
Given his impressive performances during Euro 2012, it is surprising that he endured such a quiet season at Manchester City. He scored just four goals and created 12, only four of which came after the turn of the year. Quite a drop in productivity from the previous, title-winning season when he scored six times and provided 17 assists.
The ongoing Confederation Cup dominates attention in the close-season, and perhaps Silva with another opportunity to remind of his undoubted talent as he has been preferred to Juan Mata. Game against Tahiti, which Spain won 10-0 with their second string Spain XI (Silva, obviously, being named along with Juan Mata and Santi Cazorla). Although Silva getting on the score sheet, his performance lacked the conviction that perhaps he still is one of the best playmakers in the Premier League while Juan Mata kept his tally ticking with two assists and a goal. Juan Mata was massively praised for his performance though it is unfair to gauge a player’s performance in such a mismatch.
 But who took the blame for Manchester City’s regression?
Manchester City dominated most games but failed to get on the scoresheet, something they mastered in their title-winning season. They lacked that final third ball which would put the strikers through and hence, they eventually would put the team infront. Nasri, Balotelli and even Mancini were made scapegoat but hardly any fingers were pointed towards Silva.
Here, I would again like to voice my opinion that if a player so central to the way a team functions, and so influential in their previous success (title winning one, mainly), be somewhat accountable for City’s shambolic 2012-3 season?