Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has no doubts where David Silva stands in the history of the Premier League.
Silva has somehow maintain his remarkable form and consistency this season despite suffering personal heartache with the premature birth of his son.
The Spanish international has been making frequent return trips to Valencia to see his partner and child.
Guardiola appreciates Silva's efforts and reckons the midfielder is a rare and special talent.
Guardiola said: "We've said many times before that family is the most important thing.
"He wants to be here but sometimes he needs to go 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.
"He came back and trained and he will be ready to play against Stoke City and after that when we will go to Abu Dhabi (warm weather training), he will stay in Spain.
"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.
"David has 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.
"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."
