It's been a difficult period for Manchester City star David Silva as he continues to juggle his family and football. After his son was born prematurely at the turn of the year, Silva has had to focus more on his family but has made sure he remains a sensation on the pitch.





​Pep Guardiola was left impressed by the player's professionalism and termed the Spaniard as a 'huge competitor.'





"He's got a lot of technical skills in a complicated league with the physicality, the weather conditions, the pitches, and he has survived to be one of the best players in England for a decade," said Guardiola, as quoted by ​Manchester Evening News .











 "@21lva is one of the best players in the last decade!" #mancity pic.twitter.com/6eLu6nANk6 — Manchester City (@ManCity) March 11, 2018





"He has been here for a long time and is playing in a high level. We are so happy to have him to extend his contract. It means a lot. He is a huge competitor. He is shy, he doesn't speak too much but on the pitch when the moment is there and the game is on he is the guy who never hides in tough conditions when the game is not going well. "





For obvious reasons, Silva hasn't always managed to train with the rest of the squad, but he's been training individually to be at his sharpest everytime he's called upon.





"We've said many times family is the most important thing," added Guardiola.





"He wants to be here but sometimes he needs to come back and see his son and wife, who are doing well. He has to go there. Of course he knows he has to train because you cannot play good if you don't train for a long time. He trains on his own in Valencia when he goes there and of course in the game against Basel he decided to go to Valencia."











David Silva trained in the weekend and is expected he starts today. Sterling trained in a good way too and is expected to be in the bench. — Jose Alvarez Haya (@10JoseAlvarez) March 12, 2018





"What has happened has happened. His family and son are the most important thing. Hopefully he can sort it as soon as possible, his lovely kid can grow and grow and he can stay with us all day."





The Spaniard was at his best against Chelsea and deservedly won the Man of the Match award for the shift he put in that night. Expect to see more of the same when City take on Stoke City, tonight.