(Kevin De Bruyne signed for Manchester City in a £54.5m deal this summer - image via Manchester City Official Facebook)
Unsurprisingly, Brennan revealed in an updated piece how his suggestion "drew howls of anguish" from supporters who have seen Silva orchestrate City's charming football so far this season. So was this article written with the sole intention of provoking, or should the author's recommendation be taken seriously in the interest of benefiting the team?
Brennan immediately ruffles the feathers, declaring that "those Manchester City fans who think David Silva should stay at the heart of things have it all wrong". But after watching the Spaniard score a goal, register four assists and pick up four Man of the Match award nominations in City's first four games, it's clear that the 29-year-old should be central to his manager's plans this term. Brennan doesn't debate this, but he does have controversial ideas on where Silva is most effective.
David Silva's move from the left flank into the central position behind the striker has paid dividends for the Blues this season. Whilst it is true that the ex-Valencia man has had no trouble exhibiting his brilliance from wide positions throughout his City career, Silva has been at his best when cutting inside. In City's 2014/2015 campaign, Silva created 72.4% of a total 93 chances when coming inside from the left flank as opposed to 14.1% from areas close to the touchline.
(A pitch view of the chances David Silva created in 2014/2015 - image via @Squakwa) - Pitch view is landscape
Pellegrini's side were criticised last term for their lack of directness and urgency going forward. The arrival of Raheem Sterling has helped to address that issue and the pace of Jesus Navas on the opposite side has given the team balance. City now play with out-and-out wingers that hug the touchline and allow Silva to exploit space in the centre of the field. Silva lacks the qualities of a natural wide man, crossing and pace are not at the top of his list of abilities, and Kevin De Bruyne's superior speed and willingness to take on his man makes him a much better fit for City's right side.
In an emphatic 2014/2015 campaign with Wolfsburg, the Belgian created 111 chances (over 50% of them from areas around the touchline) and successfully completed 99 out of an attempted 171 take ons. With Sterling operating on the left flank, City require the same directness and creativity on the right flank and De Bruyne offers more of that than Silva from wide positions.
Brennan supports his proposal by citing the pair's performances for their respective national teams last week. Silva claimed the Man of the Match award in Spain's 2-0 win over Slovakia playing in a right-sided role whilst De Bruyne created and scored a goal from a central position in Belgium's 3-1 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina. Both players were terrific and their displays back up Brennan's article well, but one must acknowledge the respective systems that Spain and Belgium adopt.
(David Silva played a major role in Spain's 2-0 win over Slovakia - image via Getty Images)
Spain utilised a 4-3-3 formation against Slovakia with Pedro operating on the left as the side's only natural winger. With Fabregas, Busquets and Iniesta making up a trio in the centre of midfield, Silva, given his experience out wide for Manchester City, is the obvious choice to fill the opposite role on the right. Silva assisted Jordi Alba for his side's first goal, but had to cut in from the flank to direct a superb cross onto the head of his left back. At City, with Jesus Navas and Kevin De Bruyne also in the team, Silva can focus on providing those chances from his favoured central position.
As for De Bruyne, his corner assisted Fellaini for Belgium's first and offered a demonstration of his fantastic crossing abilities. However Belgium, unlike City, lack creativity in the centre of midfield with Fellaini, Witsel and Nainggolan operating as a three. In need of goals, as Belgium were against Cyprus on Sunday evening, De Bruyne is the obvious choice to move into the centre to provide imagination - something that David Silva and Yaya Touré can both do in Pellegrini's side.
Certainly, I see Brennan's logic and also recognise the versatility of both players and their strengths in other areas of the pitch, but I don't believe an immediate shake up would benefit the team in any way. In a league in which many teams play on the counter attack, City have established a formation with out and out wingers that is both ferocious when going forward and resolute when defending and I feel disrupting the balance of the side so early could have a negative impact on the efficiency of our football.
As an option for the future should results take a turn for the worse? Yes, but as a base formation and so early into the season when the side is playing brilliantly? Definitely not.
