Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is delighted with the impact of David Silva and Kevin de Bruyne for the champions this season.

Guardiola also hailed the importance of City duo De Bruyne and Silva in the club's remarkable Premier League campaign, claiming central midfielders are the key to all of his success.

“If we had so much success here in Manchester and in Barcelona, that's because of the central midfielders," Guardiola told ESPN.

“Xavi was a player with outstanding control and dynamic — he couldn't lose the ball. He could control the game rhythm, reading perfectly when to accelerate. Andres Iniesta is similar, but always changing the pace.

“David Silva is a mixture between both of them. David also knows when to control and when to accelerate.

“Kevin is exuberant. He's not a controller, he's more dynamic, coming from behind, finishing, crossing, appearing here, then there, defending, attacking.

“He's a complete player, less control and much more movement. When he stops, he's not that effective as Xavi, David and Andres."