Watford boss Quique Sanchez Flores has hailed Manchester City's Spanish influence.

In 2006, David Silva was still a rookie when he was invited by Flores to make up the numbers with the Valencia first team.

Flores was blown away by what he discovered and instantly knew the Spanish magician would one day cast his spell at the top.

He said: "Silva was about 20 and I said to myself: 'My God - he's incredible.'

"He never lost the ball, his control was great, whether the ball was in the air, on his chest or on the ground.

"He was amazing. I was impressed with him from the beginning. Silva is very important in the last third behind the strikers.

"He's clever and he's able to create space where it's impossible to see any."