You can't teach what gifted David Silva has - Given

David Silva deserves to be regarded as one of the best players in the Premier League, according to former Manchester City goalkeeper Shay Given.

The Spain international is in his eighth season with City and remains a key player for Pep Guardiola's side. The 31-year-old is joint top of the Premier League assist chart this season alongside Kevin De Bruyne, while only his City team-mate and Mesut Ozil have created more chances after 10 games, according to Opta.

Silva has a gift that cannot be coached in many young players, according to Given, who believes he remains underrated by many football admirers.

"The good thing about David is that he makes everything look so easy," the former Republic of Ireland goalkeeper told Goal. "He never panics, he always seems to have space and time on the ball and that’s a knack in itself, finding pockets in the pitch where to go.

"The midfielders pick him up, the defenders pick him up, it’s stuff that sometimes you can’t teach or coach a kid.

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"He’s very gifted and I’m shocked he’s not talked with the greats especially some of the foreign players who have come into the Premier League, he’s definitely up there."

Silva has had an impact on the Premier League since his arrival from Valencia, but Given revealed that the country has changed the Premier League winner in one way too.

“It’s funny because when he first came he liked fruit salads and salads. He asked me one day what I was eating. I had apple crumble and custard and he said: ‘I must try this’," Given recalls. "And next to every game he’s getting apple crumble and custard into him!

“But what a player he has been and still is at Man City."

Given, who spent two years at Man City, has also been impressed by Ederson in his first season with Guardiola's team, stating the 24-year-old goalkeeper is a perfect fit for the club. 

 “It’s well documented that Pep Guardiola wants someobody that can play out from the back and keep possession, keep the ball, and Ederson is probably one of the best, if not the best, at doing that," he added.

"The other side of the coin is that he has to save the ball as well, that’s his job, that’s why he’s got the gloves on and he’s been impressive in that as well.

"I think people shouldn’t shy away from the fact he’s a goalkeeper and, in my opinion, the first box you’ve got to tick is, can you stop the ball going in the net? I think Ederson’s very good at that as well and he’s obviously fantastic with his feet. That’s exactly the perfect fit for a Guardiola team.”

Shay: Any Given Saturday - The Autobiography is published by Trinity Mirror Sport Media and available in Hardback or ebook