That’s probably the best way in trying to succinctly sum up David Silva’s vast impact on Manchester City – and the wider spectrum of English football - this past decade.
Our Spanish magician may be short in stature – but he stands tall as not only arguably the greatest City player ever – but also as amongst the finest overseas talents ever to grace the Premier League.
What is beyond debate is that the £25m it cost to acquire El Mago’s services from Valencia back in the summer of 2010, represents the biggest bargain in the Club’s history.
Already a European Championship and World Cup winner with Spain when he joined City, there was no doubting Silva’s quality as he made the move to England.
READ: Revealed - your City team of the decade!
WATCH: A City Decade | 2018
But some wondered how the man with the magic feet from Arguneguin, Gran Canaria would cope with the both physical and mental demands of the Premier League.
However, it didn’t take Merlin long to silence any doubters.
After properly introducing himself with a quite stunning inaugural Premier League strike away at Blackpool in October of 2010, Silva’s artistry and intelligence has seen him go on to befuddle and bewilder countless opposition teams.
Over the course of almost 10 years, and more than 400 games for the Club, with the Etihad acting as his master canvas, our Spanish artist has spread dazzling Blue brush strokes to help provide vivid colour and a rich vibrant tapestry to the English game.
Quiet, shy and unassuming off the field, on it Silva is - like the very best professionals in any chosen field – someone who manages to make the fiendishly difficult look effortlessly simple.
Think of THAT pass for Edin Dzeko’s final goal in our incredible 6-1 derby win at Old Trafford in 2011 for instance. The vision and execution were quite extraordinary, yet for Merlin it was all in a day’s work.
But alongside that otherworldly talent, has been a remarkable consistency and continuity which further illustrates both his professionalism and this ultimate team man’s relentless dedication to the cause.
Under first Roberto Mancini – the man who brought El Mago to the Etihad - through the reign of Manuel Pellegrini, on to the last three and half historic years under Pep Guardiola, Silva has been a constant reassuring thread helping stitch all of City’s finest work into a cohesive spell-binding whole.
In the wake of his 400th City appearance at Bournemouth earlier this season, the boss was effusive in his praise for the 33-year-old.
“What can I say, everybody knows him [Silva],” Guardiola declared. “He has a sense, to move between the lines like nobody else in the world - he is a fighter.
“David is one of the best players I have ever worked with.”
His honours board alone makes for seriously impressive reading.
READ: A City Decade | 10 key games of the decade
WATCH: A City Decade | 2017
Silva has been one of the key architects in our prolific trophy haul of four Premier League titles, four League Cup crowns and two FA Cups these past 10 years.
But beyond that amazing collection of Silvawear, David’s wider influence and impact has been extraordinary, a fact amply illustrated by his incredible personal statistics.
Not surprisingly, Silva provided more assists than any other player in the decade between 2010 and 2019, being the provider for a staggering 89 goals – 27 more than his nearest rival.
David also stands apart in terms of creating the most goalscoring chances for his team-mates, contributing 768 – 173 more than any other player.
As well as being the Premier League’s pre-eminent creator and conductor however, the stats demonstrate that Silva is also not too shabby in terms of his own goal output.
Over the past decade he bagged 57 league strikes from 297 Premier League appearances and an impressive 74 in total across 414 games in all competitions.
Sadly, of course, Silva has confirmed that this is to be his final season at the Club before he embarks on a new adventure.
But there are still several more months where we can relish and revel in his talent.
And such is his monumental legacy and impact, there is no doubting that El Mago’s immense contribution to the City cause will never, ever be forgotten.
DAVID SILVA – DECADE STATS.
2010/11:
Premier League – App: 35, Goals: 4, Assist: 7
Total in all competitions – App: 53, Goals: 6, Assist: 13
2011/12:
Premier League – App: 36, Goals: 6, Assist: 15
Total in all competitions – App: 49, Goals: 8, Assist: 19
2012/13:
Premier League - App: 32, Goals: 4, Assist: 8
Total in all competitions – App: 41, Goals: 5, Assist: 11
2013/14:
Premier League - App: 27, Goals: 7, Assist: 9
Total in all competitions – App: 40, Goals: 8, Assist: 13
2014/15:
Premier League – App: 32, Goals: 12, Assist: 7
Total in all competitions – App: 42, Goals: 12, Assist: 10
2015/16:
Premier League – App: 24, Goals: 2, Assist: 11
Total in all competitions – App: 36, Goals: 4, Assist: 12
2016/17:
Premier League – App: 34, Goals: 4, Assist: 7
Total in all competitions – App: 45, Goals: 8, Assist: 10
2017/18:
Premier League – App: 29, Goals: 9, Assist: 11
Total in all competitions – App: 40, Goals: 10, Assist: 14
2018/19:
Premier League – App: 33, Goals: 6, Assist: 8
Total in all competitions – App: 50, Goals: 10, Assist: 14
2019/20 (so far):
Premier League – App: 15, Goals: 3, Assist: 6
Total in all competitions – App: 19, Goals: 3, Assist: 7
TOTAL IN THE DECADE:
Premier League - App: 297, Goals: 57, Assist: 89
Total in all competitions – App: 415, Goals: 74, Assist: 123
