As Good as Kevin De Bruyne Is, David Silva Must Remain Manchester City's No. 10

The arrival of Kevin De Bruyne into an already-impressive Manchester City squad has seen the Blues talked about as clear title favourites.

It’s difficult to argue against that. They sit top of the table with 12 points from 12 and are yet to concede a goal. With De Bruyne, who represents £55 million worth of talent, now set to enter the equation, things, surely, can only get better for Manuel Pellegrini’s side.

Their squad looks as strong as it ever has, and their players look determined to prove last season was a blip rather than representative of their ability.

De Bruyne’s arrival, though, has also sparked some fierce debate about where he should play. Since his versatility allows him to operate in numerous positions in the final third, there are a number of options available to Pellegrini.

The most obvious answer would be to play the 24-year-old on the right side of the attacking-midfield three, replacing Pellegrini’s trusted Spanish winger Jesus Navas.

Navas was superb in City’s opening three games of the season, using his pace to stretch defences, which in turn created space for City’s central players. He’s also defensively excellent, a player who offers constant protection to the full-back, and Pellegrini has shown enormous faith in him over the past two seasons.

However, a poor display against Watford, where he was taken off at the interval after a first-half in which nothing would go right for him, has reignited the criticism that has often followed him since joining City in 2013.

Navas is seen by some as profligate in possession, too often led down blind alleys and inconsistent with his deliveries into the box. His critics see him as lightweight and easily knocked off the ball—a frustrating player who doesn’t use his searing pace as well as he should.

Given De Bruyne has excellent crossing ability and is no stranger to playing out wide, it would be a straightforward switch. The fear is it would unbalance City, and the protection Navas offers down the right would be somewhat removed, but with Pellegrini seemingly intent on making his side even more attacking, it looks the most likely option.

However, others, such as Stuart Brennan at the Manchester Evening News, believe De Bruyne would be best used centrally, operating in the No. 10 role currently occupied by David Silva. Brennan feels Silva could move out the right, with Navas dropping down to the bench.

There is some merit to his argument. De Bruyne played that role regularly for Wolfsburg, and his form for the Bundesliga side was superb. His 20 assists last season was a record for the German top flight, and he also bagged 10 goals.

Playing as a central playmaker, his value jumped from the £18 million Wolfsburg paid Chelsea for his services 18 months ago to the club-record £55 million fee City have paid. That position is certainly where he’s most comfortable.

Brennan also argues Silva is a player who provides quality wherever he plays. Before his permanent switch into the No. 10 position, he often started out on the left and was still City’s best and most creative player. In the second half against Watford, with City desperate to find a way through a stubborn Hornets’ defence, Pellegrini moved him to the right as City went 4-4-2. Again, he excelled, providing key passes and moments of brilliance. 

But Silva is undoubtedly at his most effective when played in the No. 10 role. Since being moved there as City shifted to a 4-2-3-1 system, the Blues have won 10 league games on the bounce—a club record. It’s no coincidence that run of results has coincided with Silva being played where he is most dangerous.

In fact, the four games he has played there this season have seen him at his very best. He’s now widely considered to be City’s finest-ever player, yet his performance level has increased this season, as he has been left with plenty of room in central areas to pick passes and create chances.

De Bruyne should have to earn a central position in the side. Right now, it’s Silva who has possession of that role, and his form is simply too good to alter it. 

Rob Pollard is Bleacher Report's lead Manchester City correspondent and will be following the club from a Manchester base throughout the 2015/16 season. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter: @RobPollard.