Manchester City: Who Is More Vital to Success, Sergio Aguero or David Silva?

The question of which player is more important to a side is often subjective. The style of football we each appreciate the most is bound to influence our decision, and measuring it in absolute terms is near-impossible since statistics only explain a small part of the game.

There have been in-depth discussions in recent seasons, though, about which of Manchester City’s attacking stars is their most important: Is it David Silva, the team’s orchestrator and creative hub, or Sergio Aguero, their lethal finisher?

Appearance Record

Over the last two-and-a-half seasons, Silva has managed 102 games in all competitions and Aguero 94. This season alone, both have had one period of inactivity, with Silva missing six league games stretching from early November to the beginning of December, with Aguero’s five-match Premier League absence seeing him miss most of December. Their appearance records are pretty similar.

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City have coped well in their absences this season, not losing a single game when either has been out of the side; a mark of the strength in depth Manuel Pellegrini has assembled since taking over in the summer of 2013.

Both, it seems, are susceptible to muscle injuries, although, certainly in Aguero’s case, there’s evidence to suggest the club’s medical staff have found a way of managing them. His recent injury was a knee injury after an unfortunate stumble in the opening stages of the match with Everton at the Etihad, rather than a repeat of the hamstring troubles which have caused him problems in the past.

There appeared to be an eagerness to rush Aguero back from injury last season and it didn't help. This season, there has been more care taken, and it has been a much more successful policy.

Style

Comparing them in terms of their style of play is much more problematic. They are both very different players. Silva likes to float around the pitch, collecting the ball in various parts of the pitch and linking play, sewing together the disparate parts of City’s team.

He finds space in between the lines, causing defenders to occupy positions that feel uncomfortable to them, dragging them out of position as they desperately try to deal with the threat he poses.

He can glide past players who mark him too tightly, or pick a damaging pass if defenders stand off him. He has created 39 chances for his team-mates in league matches alone this season, and he so often appears to dictate the tempo and style of City’s attacks.

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In the recent draw with Everton at Goodison Park, he put three golden chances on a plate for team-mates in the first half alone; the latest reminder of his ability to pick the right pass and play in a selfless manner.

Similarly at West Brom on Boxing Day, he gave a masterclass for an hour, scoring a wonderful goal and bringing a creative edge to City that no one on the pitch could either match or nullify.

These aren’t rare occasions, either. His displays at Hull City, Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool last season were a pleasure to watch, such was his effortless brilliance. Very often he stands head and shoulders above any other player on the pitch in terms of the quality he can produce in any given moment.

Aguero is completely different. He is capable of excellence outside the box, often found linking play just outside the area, but his remit is much narrower than Silva’s.

Whereas the Spaniard is expected to orchestrate attacks, Aguero is expected to finish them, something he can do better than almost any other striker on the planet. His 19 goals from 21 appearances so far this season, and his 28 from 34 last, demonstrate this perfectly.

When he’s fully fit and playing regularly, with rhythm and intensity, he is pretty much a goal per game player.

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He has an unerring ability to shift the ball half a yard and shoot within a split second, taking defenders and goalkeepers by surprise. His thunderous strike away at Sunderland this season and his goal out of nothing at Stamford Bridge in October 2013, which took Petr Cech, one of the greatest ever ‘keepers, completely by surprise at his near post, are perfect examples of his explosiveness. He generates unbelievable power from minimal backlift, making it difficult to preempt his intentions.

It’s arguable he is the finest out-and-out striker in world football right now and at 26 he can quite easily continue to improve.

Summary

Because of their differences, a direct comparison is, of course, problematic. One is crucial in the creation of goals and the team’s cohesion; the other is vital in providing the finishing touch, which is all-important in terms of winning matches.

In the simplest terms: Aguero decides by how many City win by, whereas Silva decides whether they win at all.

Rob Pollard is Bleacher Report's lead Manchester City correspondent and will be following the club from a Manchester base throughout the 2014-15 season. All quotes were obtained first-hand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter: @RobPollard.