David Silva gives positive update on his prematurely-born son as Vincent Kompany hails Manchester City star

The Spaniard has hit his best form of the season while coping with the premature birth of his son, Mateo, that has resulted in him repeatedly flying back to Spain

(Getty)

David Silva believes that his recent surge in goalscoring form can be put down to his ability to forget about his off-field troubles and focus on other things than the premature birth of his son, if only for 90 minutes.

The Manchester City midfielder scored both goals as the Premier League leaders beat Stoke City 2-0 on Monday night, ensuring they need just two more victories to win the title at the Etihad Stadium when they face Manchester United early next month.

But for Silva, this season has not been anything like as easy as it has been for Pep Guardiola’s side in the Premier League. The 32-year-old’s son, Mateo, was born prematurely in December last year and required constant treatment ever since, which has resulted in Silva making frequent trips back to Spain where his partner, Yessica Suarez Gonzalez, and family is based.

Speaking to Sky Sports after sealing City’s 26th league win of the season out of a possible 30, Silva admitted that he is able to put his mind at rest once he crosses the whitewash and heads out onto the pitch, and hopefully after his latest update he will soon have little to worry about.

“I think, when I play football, I forget everything. It’s good for me to play,” Silva said. “I know in my private life it is not a very happy moment. But my son is fighting, you know, and I am very happy because he is getting stronger, getting better, so it is OK.”

His club captain, Vincent Kompany, hailed the effect that Silva is having on his teammates by his ordeal off the pitch, which lead to Silva missing a number of matches over the winter a she remained in Spain to be with his son. While the rest of the City squad has now flown out to Abu Dhabi for a warm-weather training camp during their fallow weekend this week, Silva has travelled back to Spain with the blessing of the club.

The Spain international has been at his very best this season, having played a major part in building the 16-point lead to United in the Premier League table, scoring in the EFL Cup final victory over Arsenal last month and also helping the, to reach the Champions League quarter-finals.

Silva scored twice to help City beat Stoke (Getty)

It’s these moments that Silva is able to enjoy on the field that Kompany is keen to enjoy together, as he explains: “David just explained his story, it puts everything into perspective for us.

“It is a massive boost and relief to be able to play this game like we do. It gives us perspective and brings a moment of joy into our lives.”

With Monday night’s victory moving City on to 81 points, 16 ahead of United with eight games remaining, the league leaders know that a win over Everton on Saturday 31 March will give them the chance to sew up the title at home against their city rivals on 7 April, and the Belgium international has already set his sights on the “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity”.

City captain Vincent Kompany hailed the impact of the way Silva has coped (Getty)

“But (we have to be) steady,” Kompany added. “We have one game before then which will be difficult and then we will see. It is not going to be handed to us.”

His manager, Pep Guardiola, echoed his comments: “The important thing is on 12 March we have 81 points. That is a lot of points. We want to be champions.

“I understand for the fans but the important thing is to be champions. When? Where? It doesn’t matter.”