The Manchester United winger has eclipsed the Manchester City playmaker and star man of late, as borne out by this statistic…
There is no denying that Antonio Valencia is more in form than David Silva at present, but is he a better player?
Well they are different types of player, both both have been instrumental in their side’s battle for the Premier League title, with Silva irrepressible for the first part of the season, influential especially late on in tearing United apart 6-1 at Old Trafford.
Lately his star has been on the wane, with just one assist and no goals in his last nine Premier League games.
Valencia had a slow start to the season in comparison, unable to dislodge Nani or Ashley Young from the wide positions, finding himself playing at right-back, and missing the first four games of the season entirely.
Since December he has been unplayable, with his direct play from the right wing drawing comparison from United fans from old favourite Andrei Kanchelskis.
A Europa League hamstring injury threatened to derail his unstoppable express, but he has returned impeccably, with superb performances away to Wolves and last night Blackburn Rovers.
His form has drawn out this interesting statistic:
David Silva: 2333 Mins played – 5 Goals, 14 Assists; Antonio Valencia: 1573 Mins Played – 4 Goals, 13 Assists
It shows that through playing far less minutes, Valencia is just one off equaling Silva’s goal and assist tallies in the Premier League this season, and has a result been more productive during his time on the pitch.
But what about away from the Premier League?
Valencia has Champions League goal and assist to add to his name, in five appearances, and one goal in two Carling Cup games, and nothing to show for two FA Cup performances and one substitute appearance in the Europa League.
Silva has one Champions League goal and two assists in six Champions League games, one goal in four Europa League matches, and a solitary Carling Cup showing, while he did not feature in this year’s FA Cup.
Silva has scored four international goals for Spain during the course of this season, two against Scotland, one against Venezuela and one against Costa Rica. Valencia meanwhile has not scored for Ecuador since 2009.
More stats, Silva has a pass completion rate of 87.8 per cent, making 2.7 key passes per game, while Valencia has a rate of 85.2 per cent, making 2.4 key passes a game.
Of the two players, Silva is likely to have the edge when it comes to ‘Player of the Year’ voting, as the PFA have to submit their votes early in 2012, before Silva had suffered a dip in form, and as Valencia’s star performances were only just beginning.
As is often said, it is producing when it matters that counts, and Silva has gone missing in the title run in. There is still time for him to rectify that, but he has it all to prove.
Antonio Valencia meanwhile showed last night that he has no problem delivering when it is most important, with a goal and assist to lift United five points clear of City, in a crucial 2-0 win away to Blackburn Rovers.
There is no cut and dry verdict on who is a better player, Valencia and Silva,and as they say you can prove anything with statistics, but we would like to hear your views.
Who is the better player?
image: © Magnus D
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