Roy Keane once named the player he was happy he NEVER played against as he paid tribute to the Premier League legend.
Keane played against some of the best players the Premier League has ever seen.
Of course, he had an epic rivalry with Arsenal icon Patrick Vieira and battled with Liverpool hero Steven Gerrard.
But one player the former Manchester United captain never came up against is former Manchester City star David Silva.
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The Spaniard enjoyed 10 brilliant seasons at the Etihad and helped his old side to four Premier League titles.
He had a marvellous career, with Keane hailing his performances in England's top flight - calling him an all-time great.
The 52-year-old called Silva a 'little genius' and revealed he's glad he never played against him during his career.
"I always think of the players over the last 10 or 20 years who have played in the Premiership," he said on Sky Sports.
"The top players - the Shearers, Henrys, Gerrards, Giggs. He's up there with all those boys. Absolutely fantastic."
The Irishman added: "It's just a pity when you think of him today leaving on an empty stadium. You know, the City fans would have loved to give him a good send-off and I'm sure he'd come back and get one.
"Little genius. I look at players who've played over the last 10 years and I always think of when I'm retired about players I would have loved to have played against," he continued. "But he's one I'm glad I never was around to play against because I know he would've twisted me inside out. An absolute little genius."
Silva made 436 appearances for the Blues. He scored an impressive 77 goals and registered 146 assists during his time at the club.
He won four league titles, five EFL Cups and two FA Cups whilst plying his trade at Man City.
Where do you rank Silva among the great Premier League midfielders? Let us know.
Topics: Roy Keane, David Silva, Manchester City, Manchester United, Football
Nasir Jabbar